Betty Marshall
Betty Marshall | |
|---|---|
| 20th Mayor of York, Pennsylvania | |
| In office January 1978 – January 1982 | |
| Preceded by | John Krout |
| Succeeded by | William Althaus |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Elizabeth Ann Nath December 17, 1918 Methuen, Massachusetts |
| Died | March 29, 2013 (aged 94) York, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Howard |
| Children | Two sons and one daughter |
| Residence | York, Pennsylvania |
| Profession | Politician |
Elizabeth Ann Marshall (née Nath; December 17, 1918 – March 29, 2013) was an American
Early life
Marshall was born in
Marshall had first met her future husband, Howard Marshall, while in high school. He served in the
Her parents moved to York, Pennsylvania, in the late 1940s. Betty and Howard Marshall also moved to York in 1948.[1] The couple remained permanent residents of York even after her parents moved to Alabama.[1] Her husband opened a York advertising agency. In 1954, the couple moved to a house located on the city's Florida Avenue, where Betty Marshall resided until 2013.[1] They had three children.[1]
Political career
Betty Marshall worked in her husband's advertising agency, which led to contacts throughout the city. She also worked with young women and volunteering for local organizations.[1]
Marshall entered politics in the wake of the
In November 1971, Marshall won a seat on the York City Council, becoming the first woman elected to the council. She was sworn into office in January 1972. She had become the President of the York City Council by 1977, when she announced her candidacy for mayor.[4] On November 8, 1977, Betty Marshall was elected Mayor of York, Pennsylvania, the first woman to hold that office in the city's history.[4]
Marshall was inaugurated in January 1978. Marshall oversaw major renovations within downtown York during her tenure as mayor, which was met by some community opposition.[1] Marshall restored the main buildings on York Square.[2] She expanded the sidewalks and planted trees in the neighborhood surrounding Continental Square.[1] She also supported the shrinking of Market Street, which encouraged shoppers on foot to return to the downtown shopping district.[1] New parking garages were also constructed.
Marshall is also credited with creating a new
Betty Marshall sought election to a second, four-year term in 1981. However, she was defeated for re-election in November 1981 by Republican challenger William Althaus. She left office in January 1982, but remained active in politics and local organizations into her 80s and 90s.[1]
Marshall worked to revive the local Democratic Party throughout the 2000s.
In 2011, Marshall testified in favor of the reauthoritization of the
Marshall was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2008, which went into remission after chemotherapy.[2] She died at her home on Florida Avenue in York on March 29, 2013, at the age of 94.[1][2] She was survived by her three children. Her husband, Howard, died in 2001.[1]
York Mayor Kim Bracey, the second woman elected mayor of the city, released a statement via Facebook after news of Marshall's death, "I am deeply saddened at the passing of York's First female Mayor, Elizabeth Marshall. My condolences go out to her family and friends. She was a true visionary for York and will be greatly missed."[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae Argento, Mike (2013-04-01). "Betty Marshall, York's first elected female mayor, has died". York Daily Record. Archived from the original on 2014-07-29. Retrieved 2013-04-13.
- ^ a b c d Butler, Christina (2013-03-29). "Elizabeth Marshall, York's first female mayor, passes away". WHP-TV. Archived from the original on 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2013-04-13.
- York Dispatch. 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2013-04-13.
- ^ a b "State Democrats Relish Two Judgeship Victories". Associated Press. Observer–Reporter. 1977-11-10. Retrieved 2013-04-13.