Von Delany Mizell Explained

Von Delany Mizell (1910–1973) was the second black physician in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and since at that time Fort Lauderdale's hospitals would not accept "colored" patients, he helped establish Provident Hospital for black residents. He staged sit-ins and protests, boycotted Fort Lauderdale’s "Colored School", and successfully sued the Broward County Medical Association for admittance. He started the first NAACP chapter in South Florida. He was also involved in efforts to provide a beach for black residents to use and to desegregate Broward County's other beaches.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Legacy

• The site of Provident Hospital, which has been torn down, is occupied by a community center, the Von D. Mizell Community Center, owned by the city of Fort Lauderdale.
• On July 1, 2016, John U. Lloyd Beach State Park was renamed the Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in honor of civil rights efforts undertaken by Mizell and Johnson during segregation.^[4]

Ethel Mizell Pappy Collection

Von D. Mizell's sister Ethel Mizell Pappy's personal family papers are housed at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL.^[5]

• Ethel Mizell Pappy family papers, African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library.

Further reading

• News: 2014. August 20, 2019. How beaches of Broward County were finally desegregated. Kathy. Boehnlein. shineonsfl.com.
• News: Mizell more fitting name for historic beach. Don. Mizell. December 14, 2011. Sun-Sentinel.
• News: Pioneering Mizell Family's History Spans 100 Years. Robert. Beatty. February 25, 2011. South Florida Times.

Notes and References

1. Web site: South Florida Times. www.sfltimes.com. 2013-05-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20100905085335/http://www.sfltimes.com/index.php?option=com_content. 2010-09-05. dead.
2. News: Rev. Edward T. Graham and Dr. Von D. Mizell: Two Local Legends Made History in South Florida. February 4, 2016. South Florida Times.
3. Book: McCarthy , Kevin M. . African American Sites in Florida. 978-1561643851. 2007. Pineapple Press.
4. Web site: John U. Lloyd State Park ready to change name, share civil rights history. Anne. Geggis. 24 June 2016 .
5. Web site: AARLCC Special Collection | Broward County Library.