Gwen Cherry’s Legacy and the Importance of Preserving Brownsville’s History

At Plusurbia Design, we believe that preserving historic neighborhoods means preserving the stories that define them. Recently, Megan McLaughlin, Director of Preservation Projects, examined how the history of Miami’s Brownsville neighborhood influenced the advocacy and leadership of pioneering civil rights champion Gwen Cherry.

As Florida’s first African American woman elected to the state legislature, Cherry advanced causes that expanded opportunities for generations of Floridians, including efforts to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a state holiday and support for the Equal Rights Amendment.

Through preservation research and community storytelling, Plusurbia Design works to document and elevate the people, places, and events that have shaped our communities. Preserving these narratives helps strengthen civic identity and ensures that influential leaders like Gwen Cherry continue to inspire future generations.

Read the full tribute to Gwen Cherry in Miami’s Community Newspapers article here.

State Rep. Gwen Cherry on Apr. 14, 1975, sponsoring and leading a women’s march in support of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Gwen Cherry can be seen at the front of the parade on holding the left side of the banner, alongside Legislators Gwen Margolis and Elaine Gordon. (Source: State Archives of Florida) State Rep. Gwen Cherry, champion for equal rights