Susan B. Anthony’s words of wisdom, “Failure is impossible,” inspired many women facing the new frontier of equality in the late 1800s. By the 1940s and ’50s, Naples offered many challenging adventures in the business community, and Mamie Tooke most assuredly embraced them.

Local history is peppered with stories of strong women who made significant contributions to Southwest Florida. At the top of this list of heroines is Deaconess Harriett Mary Bedell, who will long be remembered for helping the Seminoles revive their lost arts of weaving and doll making and for creating opportunities to practice the fine art of patience. If you ever had to drive behind the Deaconess on her way across the Tamiami Trail to sell the Seminoles’ crafts, you know what that means.

Once upon a time, entrepreneurs were not held in the same high esteem that they are today. Fortunately for us Neapolitans, the paradigm on entrepreneurs had shifted by the 20th century and some very unique entrepreneurs (those who used their own money) and “intrepreneurs” (those who used others’ money) made Naples their home. In doing so, they made an investment in not just in their own futures, but in the future of our community as well.

Southwest Florida was one of the last areas of the South to benefit from railroad service. Although the Iron Horse began its gallop in the late 1880s, it was nearly 40 years before the tracks finally reached Naples. Until then, most visitors to the Sunshine State were bound for Palm Beach, Winter Haven or Sarasota.