601 W. State St., Room 102, Jacksonville, FL  32202-3056

About Our Founder

Rosanne R. Hartwell
1927 – 1996

Rosanne R. Hartwell, an educator and community leader, reached out in countless ways to help individuals better their lives and improve the community in which they live. She was a consistent force in bringing about lasting programs to assist women and the elderly, to conserve the beauty of the environment, and to improve the quality of life in Jacksonville.

Born in Lakeland, Florida, Rosanne spent her early years in Bradenton and Ft. Lauderdale before moving to Jacksonville in 1951. She was a teacher, counselor and administrator in the Duval County Schools for 15 years, primarily at Paxon Senior High School, before joining Florida Community College at Jacksonville, then Florida Junior College in 1966 as a counselor and administrator. She retired from FCCJ in 1982 as Director of Human Resources. She was a graduate of Florida State University, a member and president of Kappa Delta Sorority and received a master’s degree from the University of Florida.

Rosanne’s boundless energy was noticed communitywide. She was a founding member of the Women’s Public Leadership Consortium, the Jacksonville Women’s Network and the Port of Jacksonville Pilot Club. She served on the Board of Directors for Hubbard House, Inc., Y.W.C.A. and the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women. For her work with women’s issues, she was honored as a “Woman Who Has Made a Difference in Jacksonville” by the Y.W.C.A. in 1977, was an EVE finalist in 1982 and in 1995 received the Arnolta “Mama” Williams Lifetime Achievement Award presented at the EVE awards. Rosanne served on the Jacksonville Community Relations Commission and received its “Human Relations Award” in 1977. In addition, she was honored with the Equal Opportunity council of Jacksonville Award in 1981.

Her work with the elderly included service on the Board of Directors for Hospice of Northeast Florida, the Visiting Nurse Association and the City of Jacksonville Commission on Aging. Other service included the Board of Directors for United Way, the Ronald McDonald House and the Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. Rosanne was the Exhibition Director for the Ramses II Exhibit, sponsored by the Jacksonville Museum of Contemporary Art. She was an active member of the Riverside Presbyterian Church for many years and served as an Elder for eight years.

Perhaps in contrast to her busy community life, Rosanne sought the peace of the mountains where she found solace in the quiet beauty of nature. She was concerned about the quality of the environment and served on the boards of Greenscape of Jacksonville, the Memorial Park Association, the Riverside-Avondale Preservation, Inc., and chaired the RAP Home Tour in 1984.

Rosanne demonstrated her dedication to helping women by founding the FCCJ Women’s Center in 1974. She was honored by the Center at its 20th anniversary in May 1994, and in March 1997 it was renamed in her honor. The Rosanne R. Hartwell Women’s Center has assisted thousands of women over the years and its mission is still vital today.