Constitution of Florida
Florida's first constitution as a U.S. territory was written and implemented in 1838. On March 3, 1845, Florida was granted admission into the Union as the 27th state. The current Constitution of Florida was ratified on November 5, 1968, and has been modified by initiative and referendum several times since.
Pearl Long Cullen
Pearl Long Cullen (July 3, 1890 - November 6, 1979) was the first woman to hold a constitutional office in the state of Florida. She was also the first woman to be elected to a constitutional office in the state of Florida. In 1923, upon the death of her father, who was the elected tax collector, Cullen was appointed by the governor to serve out her father's term. In 1925, Boyce Williams won the election as tax collector. Cullen continued to work in the tax office, and, in 1941, was once again appointed by the governor as tax collector of Lake County, Florida. In 1944, Cullen successfully sought the office and served consecutive terms as tax collector until her retirement in 1959. No other woman prior to Cullen's appointment in 1923, or until her win in 1941, had held a constitutional office in Florida.