For the first time ever, Osceola County is naming one of its parks after a woman — Brownie Wise, the pioneer behind the Tupperware home parties.
- Brownie Wise became Tupperware pioneer known for her home parties
- Wise was first woman featured on the cover of Business Week
- The park will be located in the Tupperware Island Conservation Area
Linda Goodwin-Nichols has been in the realty business for 43 years, and she calls Wise her mentor. Goodwin still holds on to a punchbowl Wise made and gave to her.
"Everything she taught me, I just really grasped and actually a lot of it I still use today," Goodwin said.
Wise became the first woman to ever appear on the cover of Business Week in 1954.
"Brownie Wise is really an icon of this company that is really responsible for the distribution method that this company has used: the party system," said Tom Roehlk, executive vice president for Tupperware Brands.
At Tupperware's headquarters, there's a section dedicated to Wise — not only for her contributions to this business, but also for her success as one of the first female business leaders.
Now, Osceola County is naming a park after Wise. It's a recognition Goodwin said is long overdue.
The Brownie Wise Park will be located within an island near Neptune and Aultman roads, which officials are calling the Tupperware Island Conservation Area. The county expects the park to be completed by spring 2017.
"To learn about someone where in the 1950s you didn't have women in corporate America, I think it's a great story," Osceola County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb said. "And it's a good story for us to tell."
After all these years, Goodwin said she's happy she can hold onto a little piece of Wise. She said she can't wait for others to be exposed to her legacy through the new park.
"I would love for her to see me today and know that I've been in business 43 years," Goodwin said.
There is also a movie about Tupperware currently in the works. Sandra Bullock is set to star as Wise.