Women’s History Month in March shines a spotlight on the trailblazing women who have shaped our world. This year’s theme presented by the National Women’s Alliance is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” This theme celebrates the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. Through their efforts, they have served as an inspiration for all generations, both past and present.
During this time, it is fitting to recognize June Thomson Morris—a journalist, playwright, and historian who has dedicated her career to preserving the stories of the past and has been influenced by her mother and grandmother.
Her latest work, Greetings from Paradise, is more than just a theatrical production; it is a deeply personal homage to the resilience and courage of the women in her own family, particularly her grandmother, Lucy Mae Barnes, and her mother, Dorothy Thomson, whose influence shaped Morris’ passion for storytelling.
The play helps the audience step back in time and explore the rich history of Miami and Coral Gables through the eyes of the playwright’s grandmother and her experience. The play captures the landscape of that area a century ago, when it was a land of limitless promise, a city rising from the swamps into what would become a dazzling paradise of opportunity, ambition, and adventure.
Inspired by the true story of the playwright’s grandparents, Morris crafts a gripping tale of love, determination, and the pursuit of happiness. Greetings from Paradise follows Lucy Mae, a spirited young woman who at 19-years old leaves her small-town life in Indiana behind. She heads for an area of the country filled with promise and peril. At a time when it was unusual and scandalous for a young woman to travel and start such an adventure on her own, Lucy Mae was set to meet a man who would later become her husband.
For Morris, this story is deeply personal. She grew up hearing her grandmother’s stories about her journey to Miami – and says it’s not just a family story – but the story of an area of the country itself, a tale of resilience, reinvention, and the enduring dream of paradise.
Morris says, “I grew up hearing about the risks my grandmother took and the dreams she chased.” “My mother, too, carried forward this legacy of resilience and determination, always reminding me that our stories matter, that our history is worth preserving.”
Morris’ mother, a passionate advocate for education and the arts, played an integral role in shaping her daughter’s appreciation for the past. She instilled in Morris the belief that history is not just about grand events and famous figures, but about the everyday people who built communities, raised families, and took bold steps into the unknown. Morris’ mother – Dorothy – became a force in her community of Coral Gables, Florida, where she had settled. Dorothy was encouraged to run for office and became the first and only mayor of Coral Gables in 1985.
Morris says she learned from her mother how to be bold and how walking that extra mile for a good cause can bring about great value for a community.
This philosophy has guided Morris throughout her career, from her time as a journalist to her leadership roles in the Coral Gables community, including her work with Friends of Gables High, the Coral Gables Economic Development Board, and the Coral Gables Museum.
Morris says storytelling has been at the heart of her career – whether through journalism, marketing, public relations, or video production. She spent years mastering the art of crafting compelling narratives and leading creative initiatives, always blending strategy, creativity, and a results-driven approach. She earned her master’s degree from Northwestern Medill School of Journalism and a dual undergraduate degree in Broadcasting and Political Science from the University of Florida. Her early career took her across the country as an anchor and reporter, working in newsrooms from small towns to major networks like NBC and ABC.
Now she uses her storytelling expertise to produce impactful videos for a private company and develop marketing content for nonprofit organizations in South Florida.
Greetings from Paradise is a testament to the pioneering spirit of women like Lucy Mae, who took a leap of faith into an uncertain future. It is also a reflection of the enduring strength passed down through generations—of mothers who inspire their daughters, and of daughters who, in turn, preserve their mothers’ legacies.
The 80-minute, fast-paced and entertaining one-act play is billed as a true love story that resonates 100 years later with warnings about lust, greed, and where the insatiable desire for paradise on earth can lead. It is set to debut on April 29 at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables as the centerpiece of the Coral Gables Grand Centennial Gala Celebration. It will continue its run at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre from April 30 – May 3, 2025.