03/28/2024
As we come to the end of March, let's take a moment to recognize another trailblazer for Women’s History Month: Charlotte Edwards Maguire.
Charlotte Edwards Maguire was born in Orlando, Florida in 1918. She was a pediatrician and early supporter of the FSU College of Medicine.
Dr. Maguire originally wanted to study physics and won a scholarship to study chemistry and physics at the University of Heidelberg. In 1938, at her father's insistence, she was evacuated due to World War II. After returning to the United States, she attended Memphis State Teacher's College. She graduated with her Bachelor's in 1940 and received her medical degree from The University of Arkansas in 1944. In 1946 she became the first woman in Orlando to establish a private practice in pediatrics. She was the only woman to serve on the Founders Committee to develop a college of medicine at the University of Florida. Dr. Maguire was a pioneer for women in the medical industry, but was almost prevented from pursuing the field due to prejudice from the faculty at the University of Arkansas.
In 1999, Dr. Maguire donated $1 million to create the Charlotte Edwards Maguire Endowed Scholarship Fund. Maguire’s dedication to the FSU College of Medicine earned her the nickname “Mother of the FSU Medical School.” Dr. Maguire was also heavily involved in the development of the College of Medicine, advocating for the institution and mentoring students in the program. In 2002, Dr. Maguire was bestowed upon an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters by President Sandy D'Alemberte, "making [her] Dr. Dr. Maguire," and had the distinct honor of having the FSU Medical Library named after in 2005.
Dr. Maguire lived at Westminster Oaks in Tallahassee, FL, where she donated $1 million to create the Maguire Center for Lifelong Learning. In her leisure time, she pursued genealogy and painting. Dr. Maguire passed away in 2014.
Often singled out for being the only woman in her field , Dr. Maguire carved out a niche for herself and heavily influenced the medical industry in Florida. While Maguire never attended FSU, her support for FSU's College of Medicine paved the way for the renowned medical program we have today.
