Marjory Stoneman Douglas visits the Ladies of the Elks
Of the many important women in history portrayed by actress Janina Birtolo, one of her new favorites paid a visit to the Ladies of the Elks last week. Dressed in period attire, Birtolo led listeners down the sometimes bumpy road taken by Marjory Stoneman Douglas, author of the famed “River of Grass” and her crusade to save the Everglades.
Those attending the fund-raising event marveled at the life and times of this influential woman, who made her mark in Florida as well as nationally during her 108-year lifetime.
Other one-women shows presented by Birtolo feature other notables in history, including the story of Galileo’s eldest daughter, Gertrude Bell, known as the female Lawrence of Arabia; Abigail Adams; Catherine de Medici, the Italian Queen of France; Mary Todd Lincoln; and Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood.
During past performances at the Elks Lodge on Pine Island, Birtolo portrayed Amelia Earhart, legendary aviatrix, and the somewhat scandalous actress Sarah Bernhardt.
For more information about performances by Birtolo, visit her Web site at janinabirtolo.com