Former Congresswoman Meek, Range inducted into Miami-Dade Women’s Hall of Fame

By David L. Snelling

Former Congresswoman Carrie Meek, who became the first Black member of Congress from Florida since the Reconstruction era and former Miami City Athalie Range, the first Black City of Miami commissioner and one of the pioneers that helped secured Virginia Key Beach as the only Colored Beach in Miami, were among the latest inductees of the 2023 Miami-Dade County Women’s Hall of Fame.

Meek and Range were honored for their contributions and achievements that impacted the lives of Floridians from spearheading initiatives for equal housing and equal employment opportunities for Blacks, to paving the way for Black women to serve in political office including U.S. Congresswoman Fredrica Wilson.

The induction ceremony recently took place at the Stephen P. Clark Center in Downtown Miami, where family members, friends and former distinguished colleagues gathered to honor the two trailblazers along with other inductees who played major roles in reshaping Miami-Dade.

The Hall of Fames induction is among many recognitions for Meek, who died in 2021 and Range who passed away in 2006.

They both had streets named after them in Miami-Dade County and were awarded proclamations by local and state governments for their efforts.

Lucia Davis Raiford, Meek’s daughter, said the Carrie Meek family is honored their mother was enshrined in Women’s the Hall of Fame for the Class of 2023.

“The family of Carrie Meek is grateful for this recognition, and we all are honored by the service our mother has given to Miami-Dade County,” Raiford said.

Along with Corrine Brown and Alcee Hasting, Meek became the first Black member of Congress from Florida since the Post-Civil War Reconstruction era.

Her first major task was helping her district recover from Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which left Miami in its path of destruction and caused billions of dollars in damages and years of rebuilding communities.

Meek also focused her attention on issues such as economic development, health care, education, and housing. She led legislation through Congress to improve Dade County’s transit system, airport, and seaport; to construct a new family and childcare center in northern Dade County; and to fund advanced aviation training programs at Miami-Dade Community College.

In addition, Meek emerged as a strong advocate for Haitian immigrants and senior citizens.

Her son, Kendrick Meek, followed in her footsteps and served in her Congressional seat when she retired in 2003.

Her legacy lingers with the Carrie Meek Foundation, a non-profit organization that sponsors and promotes programs in education, housing, health and economic development.

Wilson, who said Meek was her mentor throughout her political career, called her a true champion for Black communities in Florida and throughout the U.S.

She also said Meek was an exemplary role model for elected officials like herself who broke down color barriers so “we follow the path she paved and succeed.”

“Her legacy of leadership and vision in education, social and economic justice and public service is exemplary and worthy of the many accolades she earned,” Wilson said in a statement. “Congresswoman Meek was a sweet, sweet spirit who permeated our community for many years.”

Before her political career commenced, Range was president of the PTA at her children’s school in Liberty City for 16 years.

Students were learning in portables and the school only has few bathrooms for 1,200 students.

She was the leading voice for hundreds of Black parents from the school who attended a school board meeting and demanded they make upgrades to the facility.

The school board complied with their demands and earmarked funding to build a new facility with classrooms, more bathrooms and infrastructure around the property.

Range was appointed to the City of Miami Commission in 1966 to fill an unexpired term of a commissioner who resigned to run for higher office, and she was reelected twice.

In 1971, newly elected Florida Governor Reubin Askew appointed Range as Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs. She became the first African-American since Reconstruction and the first woman ever to head a state agency in Florida. As Secretary, she managed a department with 200 employees and a US $5.2 million annual budget.

She held the position until 1973.

Patrick A. Range Jr., said his grandmother was never much for awards because she was a community person who just wanted to do work to make the community better.

But he said the Hall of Fame is a “great” honor for his grandmother who was just looking to make a difference in the community.

“As a grandson it’s a great honor to have her recognized, especially from Miami-Dade County, where she was a lifelong resident,” Range said. “Miami-Dade was everything to her, this was a place she loved and spent her entire life and recognized by her community, is near and dear to her heart.”

Range said Meek and his grandmother being inducted into the Hall of Fame together was fitting since they were close friends and worked together.

“They would get a chuckle and a sense of appreciation for what they have done for the community,” he said. “It’s great the county is recognizing citizens who contributed and singling out women to be honored is great because they toiled for years without recognition and it’s long overdue.”

Range and Meek were inducted in the Women’s Hall of Fame Class of 2023 with seven other honorees:  Roxcy Bolton, an advocated for rape victims and established the Rape Treatment Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital.  Mary Brickell, a Miami founder who helped to continue the work of Julia Tuttle in growing Miami as the city it is today.  Julia Tuttle, nicknamed the mother of Miami, was the driving force behind founding the City of Miami who helped convince Henry Flagler to extend his railroad to Miami.  Annie Coleman, who organized the Overtown Women’s Club to improve the conditions of Overtown and led projects to pave streets and created parks. Polita Grau, who was a Cuban political prisoner and key organizer of the Pedro Pan operation which helped 14,000 Cuban children leave the island. Arva Moore Parks McCabe, a historian who was integral in preserving parts of Miami’s history such as the Biltmore Hotel.  Marjory Stoneman Douglas, an author and environmentalist whose work re-shaped environmental policies protecting the Everglades. A school is named after her in Parkland.

     David L. Snelling is a Miami native who has been covering federal, state and local politics, sports and human interest stories for 25 years. He has worked for the Miami Herald, United Press International, the Miami Laker and the Islander News, and was recognized for his work for covering the 2000 Presidential election.