Lelia Foley
Lelia Foley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lelia Kasenia Smith November 7, 1942 |
| Other names | Lelia Foley-Davis |
| Occupation | Former Mayor of Taft, Oklahoma |
| Known for | Described as first African American woman elected mayor in the United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
Lelia Foley-Davis (born November 7, 1942), formerly known as Lelia Foley, is an American politician who served as mayor of Taft, Oklahoma.[1] Elected in 1973, she has been described as the first African-American woman elected mayor in the United States.[2][3]
Early life
[edit]Foley was born in the town of Taft, Oklahoma, located in Muskogee County.[3] She went on to become a librarian at the county's courthouse, and worked to help residents of the town access affordable housing.[3]
In January 1973, Foley, a divorced mother of five, surviving on welfare, ran for a spot on the school board of Taft, Oklahoma, an all-black town of 600 people.
She lost the election, but shortly thereafter she became inspired by a book on the successful election of A. J. Cooper as mayor of Pritchard, Alabama. Raising $200 from interested parties, she ran for the town’s top job.[1]
Mayor of Taft, Oklahoma
[edit]On April 3, 1973, the citizens of Taft elected Foley as mayor.[1][2] Her election pre-dates that of Doris A. Davis, who was elected mayor of Compton, California later that year.[4] Despite being described as the first African-American woman elected mayor, The Washington Post reported in 2019 that Ellen Craig-Jones, a Black woman, was elected mayor of Urbancrest, Ohio in 1971.[3]
In the wake of her victory, Foley conferred with Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. Ford anointed Foley as one of "Ten Outstanding Young Women" in 1974.[3] In 1974, Oklahoma named Foley Outstanding Woman of the Year.[2][5] As mayor, she was credited with helping secure federal Department of Housing and Urban Development funding for affordable housing initiatives.[3]
After losing her mayoral seat in the 1980s, she continued to serve her community. Foley, now known as Lelia Foley-Davis,[2] was once again elected mayor in 2000.
State politics
[edit]In 2000, she ran for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, standing in the Democratic primary in district 13. She placed first in the initial Democratic primary vote for the seat with 35% of the vote, which became open after incumbent Bill Settle ran for Congress. However, she lost the runoff to Allan Harder by a 56% to 44% margin; Harder would narrowly lose to Republican Stuart Ericson.
In a 2018 speech at Northeastern State University, she stated that her life's dream was to run for Governor of Oklahoma. During the speech, she stated that she wished to meet then-President Donald Trump to tell him "Leave the Dreamers alone".[6]
Legacy and recognition
[edit]In June 2022, a portion of a street in Taft, Oklahoma was renamed Lelia Foley-Davis Avenue in her honor.[7] Foley stated in 2018 that she wishes to Lelia Foley-Davis Foundation.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Johnson, John H., ed. (June 21, 1973). "Once on welfare, black woman now mayor of her hometown in Taft, Okla". Jet. 45 (13). Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc.: 18. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- ^ a b c d O'Dell, Larry. "Lelia Kasenia Smith Foley-Davis (1942-)". Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society. Archived from the original on March 6, 2009. Retrieved October 16, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f Brockell, Gillian (2019-04-02). "Chicago elected its first Black woman mayor. Lelia Foley-Davis knows what that feels like". Washington Post. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ Johnson, John H., ed. (June 21, 1973). "City near Los Angeles elects woman as mayor". Jet. 45 (13). Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc.: 17. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- ^ "Former Taft Mayor to Be Honored". The Daily Oklahoman. February 22, 1994. p. 17. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- ^ a b Crawford, Grant D. (2018-02-16). "Nation's first black female mayor tells of challenges". Tahlequah Daily Press. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ "Taft Street Renamed To Honor First African American Woman Elected Mayor In US". News on 6. 2022-06-19. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- 1942 births
- People from Muskogee County, Oklahoma
- Living people
- African-American mayors in Oklahoma
- 20th-century African-American women politicians
- Women mayors of places in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Democrats
- 20th-century mayors of places in Oklahoma
- 21st-century African-American people
- 21st-century African-American women politicians
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century African-American politicians
- 20th-century African-American people
- 20th-century African-American women
- African-American women mayors