Lassie Goodbread-Black (1904-1996)

Lassie Goodbread-Black became the first woman to enroll full-time at the University of Florida in 1925, eventually earning a degree from the College of Agriculture. Later, she also earned a master’s degree in education from Emory University in Atlanta.

Living much of her life in her hometown of Lake City, she was dedicated to serving her community. In addition to managing her family farm, she worked as a Columbia County home demonstration agent and had a hand in establishing the Lake City recreation council and Lake City Garden Club.

Goodbread-Black was posthumously recognized as a Great Floridian in 2000, and her plaque resides at the Lake City Garden Club. The Goodbread-Black farm was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

About this Series:

The year 2020 commemorates the centennial year of the passage of the 19th Amendment, a crucial achievement in the women’s suffrage movement. This milestone reminds us of the collective spirit marshalled to enact this change. Throughout the year, UF/IFAS is highlighting female researchers, educators, staff members, students and innovators who embodied a similar trailblazing spirit during their engagement with the university. These trailblazers left an indelible mark on both the university and the state of Florida.      

The 19th Amendment states, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex,” although some women were still denied the right to vote until the passage of the Civil Rights Act of the 1960s. We hope this series inspires others to ignite their own trailblazing spirit and effect change in our world.

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