Pat Russell
Pat Russell | |
|---|---|
6th district | |
| In office 1969–1987 | |
| Preceded by | L. E. Timberlake |
| Succeeded by | Ruth Galanter |
| President of the Los Angeles City Council | |
| In office July 1, 1983 – June 30, 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Joel Wachs |
| Succeeded by | John Ferraro |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 31, 1923 Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Died | February 11, 2021 (aged 97) California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Washington University of California, Los Angeles |
| Occupation | Community activist, politician |
Pat Russell (December 31, 1923 – February 11, 2021) was an American community activist and member of the Los Angeles City Council. She was the fourth woman to serve on that city council (1969–87) and the first woman to be City Council president (1983–87).
Early life
Russell was born in
Public service
Nongovernmental
Russell was president of the Los Angeles City
City Council
Geography
1969: The
1975: From the coast inland to the
Elections
With the July 2, 1969, resignation of Councilman
Despite a prediction that she might not be reelected because "She doesn't compromise," voters chose Russell in 1971 over another challenge by Frank Small, and she was elected for the third time in 1975 over light opposition from three candidates and in 1979 over four opponents. She won in the 1983 primary as well. The 1987 vote was a different story. Despite the fact that Russell raised three times as much money as all of her five opponents combined in the primary race, she failed to gain a majority in the April vote, and she had to face Ruth Galanter, an urban planner with backing from environmental groups and people in the entertainment industry, in the final.[10] Galanter was seen as someone who "rode to prominence much as Russell did 18 years ago— as a darling of middle-class protestors angered by major development in their neighborhoods." In addition, the Los Angeles Times reported, Russell's opposition to Proposition U, "the popular anti-growth initiative that passed overwhelmingly in her district, gave rise to the belief that she had fallen out of step with her constituents." Mayor Bradley campaigned for her,[11] but she nevertheless lost the final vote by 15,855 votes to Galanter's 21,846.[12]
Presidency
After losing two bids for election to the City Council presidency,
Highlights
- In 1971 Russell was working with Assembly Member multiethnic character of the Crenshaw District.[2]
- In 1972 Russell "angrily accused 'the men of this world,' including President Nixon, of fighting child-care centers" after Councilman Robert J. Stevenson opposed a plan for children of city employees to use the Elysian Park Recreation Center on a year-round basis.[14] Later, she was successful in moving an ordinance to "ease the path" for "small, nonprofit centers where working mothers can leave their children in safe hands while the parents work at self-supporting jobs."[15]
- Some City Council members questioned her "recent stands favoring oil drilling in the rent control." At the same time, she was credited with "holding together a bitterly divided council long enough . . . to resolve a highly sensitive lawsuit accusing the Los Angeles Police Department of illegal spying on civilians." She noted that she was active in adopting rules that outlawed apartment buildings that prohibited children.[13]
Personal life
Russell married William Treloar Russell, who served in the US Army during World War II,[16] on December 29, 1946. He remained in the Army as a lieutenant colonel for eight years and later became an aerospace engineer with TRW.[1][2] Together, they had three children: Steven, David, and Mercedes. The family relocated to Westchester, Los Angeles, in 1953.[16] By January 1985, the couple had separated, but they kept in touch with each other, taking outdoor trips and "having dinner with him virtually every night during the Christmas holidays."[13]
A Los Angeles Times reporter noted that during the early part of her career as a councilwoman, she "showed off more in public, when she wore
Russell died at her home on February 11, 2021. She was 97 and had cancer before her death.[16]
Quotations
- "I think of myself as a white, middle-age, middle-class suburban housewife. But in many ways, I also think that's my value."[2]
- "Maybe the women's libbers don't like me for it too much, but I absorb whatever chauvinism and paternalism there may be as long as I can keep the accent on issues and performance. I enjoy being with men, and I think they enjoy having me there; that's what we need more of in working life."[2]
- "You avoid fighting by taking care of everything, all the opposing arguments, ahead of time."[13]
References
- ^ a b c d e Los Angeles Public Library Reference File
- ^ a b c d e f Art Seidenbaum, "Pat Russell: Politics With Principles," Los Angeles Times, December 23, 1971, page F-1
- ^ a b Janet Clayton, "Victor Savors Her Personal Triumph," Los Angeles Times, July 2, 1983, page B-1
- ^ "Award Will Be Given to Pat Russell," Los Angeles Times, January 13, 1972, page WS-6
- ^ a b Nancy Hill-Holtzman, "Pat Russell: No Politics These Days," Los Angeles Times, April 4, 1991
- ^ Seymour Beubis and Hal Keating, "Five Seek Sixth District L.A. Council Seat in Listless Race," Los Angeles Times, November 23, 1969, page CS-1
- ^ Doug Shuit, "5 Council Members Coasting Through Campaigns," Los Angeles Times, March 23, 1975, page E-1
- ^ Erwin Baker, "Council Orders Direct 6th District Election," Los Angeles Times, July 29, 1969, page SF-1
- ^ Citron, Alan (February 15, 1987). "Election Shaping Up as Referendum on Development Policies – Russell Put on the Defensive at 6th District Candidate's Forum". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
- ^ Frank Clifford and Bill Boyarsky, "Russell Raises 3 Times as Much Money as Her Opponents in 6th District Contest," Los Angeles Times, April 4, 1987
- ^ Frank Clifford, "Pat Russell Forced Into a Runoff on Growth Issue," Los Angeles Times, April 15, 1987
- ^ "The Vote". Los Angeles Times. June 4, 1987. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "Pat Russell—Her Image Shifts From Odd to Sleek," Los Angeles Times, January 6, 1985
- ^ "Councilwoman Assails 'Men,' " Los Angeles Times, March 21, 1972, page D-2
- ^ "On Behalf of Working Mothers," Los Angeles Times, October 17, 1973, page B-6
- ^ a b c Wigglesworth, Alex (February 14, 2021). "Former L.A. City Council President Pat Russell, first woman elected to post, dies at 97". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
