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72 | GRAVITAS MAGAZINE around Sarasota. She quickly turned her hand to working as a rancher, and used large swathes of her land to raise cattle. She also created a farm, Meadowsweet Farms, and together with the state department of agriculture she conducted several experiments that would help farmers grow and ship crops to other parts of the country in a more effective manner. Bertha also established the Palmer National Bank. Her main goal, though, was to advance the town that she had fallen in love with, and entice others to visit. Bertha quickly began extolling the virtues of Sarasota and the sur- rounding environment to her friends and associ- ates. She helped the town advertise abroad, targeting well-to-do individuals and families who needed winter retreats – or simply needed to get away. She compared Sarasota Bay to the Bay of Naples, in Italy, and used the bay as a key focal point. She promoted the warm climate and the beauty of Sarasota, luring people to come and see for themselves. She even founded a resort specifically for visitors to the area, with festive galas every week. As a result, Sarasota blossomed. Jewels, fine dresses, vintage cars, and the latest fashion all soon came to Sarasota in droves, brought by wealthy travelers who were allured by the environment. e home of Bertha Palmer, named e Oaks, was the focal point of the Sarasota cultural renaissance at the turn of the century. Her galas were held along the avenues lined with oaks and amid lush gardens and ponds that drew in legions of visitors and helped advance the reputation of Sarasota as a must-see vacation desti- nation. e site of e Oaks is now occupied by the exclusive members only country club, e Oaks Club, a golfer's paradise. Bertha Palmer's influence is still felt today. Several streets in Sarasota are named after her or her fam- ily. Myakka River State Park, the 37,000-acre park located in Manatee and Sarasota Counties, was founded in part on a gift of land from her estate by her sons to the state of Florida after her death in 1918. e real estate development known as Palmer Ranch is what is left of the 90,000 acres Bertha acquired, and is now home to subdivisions, shopping centers, and other areas. Bertha Palmer was a visionary who saw promise and potential in Sarasota and wanted to bring others to the beautiful confines of the city by the bay. She was also a pioneer who sought to grow Sarasota into one of the premier vacation destina- tions in the early 20th century. And, like most strong, confident and smart women, Bertha used her considerable charm to influence wealthy visitors, who in turn, helped trans- form the city of Sarasota into what it is today. By all accounts, Mrs. Bertha Palmer was the supreme role model in the making. She truly honed the skill of networking that any 21st century woman would envy in today's business world. She did not need anything but what she had to offer, which was a little old-fashioned influence and good advice to family and friends in her social circle, urging them to discover her pristine southwest Florida retreat and make it their own as she did. Her lofty connections, savvy busi- ness acumen and charm helped establish the Sarasota known today and, once her vision was complete, she would leave her success and legacy to not just the residents of Sarasota, but to all women for generations to come. The land that was once the site of Palmer's estate is now occupied by one of the finest country club communities in Southwest Florida, The Oaks Club.

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