| Lelia Foley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lelia Kasenia Smith November 7, 1942 Taft, Oklahoma |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Lelia Foley-Davis |
| Occupation | Former Mayor of Taft, Oklahoma |
| Known for | First African American woman mayor |
Lelia Foley was the first African American woman elected mayor in the United States.[1][2]
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 dollars from interested parties, she ran for the town’s top job.[1]
On April 3, 1973, the citizens of Taft elected Foley as mayor. In doing so, she became the first African American female mayor in United States history.[1][2] Her election pre-dates that of Doris A. Davis, who was elected mayor of Compton, California later that year.[3]
In the wake of her victory, Foley would confer with Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. In 1974, Oklahoma named Foley Outstanding Woman of the Year.[2]
After losing her mayoral seat in the 1980s, she continued to serve her community. In 2000, now known as Lelia Foley-Davis, she regained her position as mayor. Later that year, she ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Oklahoma House of Representatives.[2]