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August 1970 marked the 50th Anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment. In Montgomery County, the new decade also marked a shift in the role of women in politics. Throughout the 1970s and subsequent decades, women increasingly played key roles in county politics—their presence in council chambers, at commission meetings, and in public forums shifting from the exception to the norm.
August 1970 marked the 50th Anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment. In Montgomery County, the new decade also marked a shift in the role of women in politics. Throughout the 1970s and subsequent decades, women increasingly played key roles in county politics—their presence in council chambers, at commission meetings, and in public forums shifting from the exception to the norm.
Following the explosive growth of the prior three decades, the 1970s marked a period of sustained but generally more moderate growth in the Montgomery County—what the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission described as "slower growth of a mature, developed county." [1] More striking was, and continues to be, the increase in diversity in the county. Since the start of the 1970s, the county began to experience a steady increase in population of people of color, including residents who identify as African American or Black, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native American.
Following the explosive growth of the prior three decades, the 1970s marked a period of sustained but generally more moderate growth in the Montgomery County—what the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission described as "slower growth of a mature, developed county." [1] More striking was, and continues to be, the increase in diversity in the county. Since the start of the 1970s, the county began to experience a steady increase in population of people of color, including residents who identify as African American or Black, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native American.
"In 2016, people of color comprised 55.5 percent of the total population making Montgomery County more diverse than the nation (38.9 percent) and Maryland (48.6 percent) ... Increasing racial and ethnic diversity outpaced the county's overall population growth since the 1990s, steadily increasing the percentage of people of color in the total population." [2]
"In 2016, people of color comprised 55.5 percent of the total population making Montgomery County more diverse than the nation (38.9 percent) and Maryland (48.6 percent) ... Increasing racial and ethnic diversity outpaced the county's overall population growth since the 1990s, steadily increasing the percentage of people of color in the total population." [2]
Although the population of Montgomery County was becoming more diverse every day, it would take several more decades before political offices in the county only began to reflect this diversity.
Although the population of Montgomery County was becoming more diverse every day, it would take several more decades before political offices in the county only began to reflect this diversity.
Esther Gelman, County Council, Montgomery History Photographs Collection.
As the decade of the 1970s opened, the County Council, which comprised seven members, included two women: Idamae Garrott and Elizabeth Scull, both of whom had extensive civic and political experience.
As the decade of the 1970s opened, the County Council, which comprised seven members, included two women: Idamae Garrott and Elizabeth Scull, both of whom had extensive civic and political experience.
Eight years later, for the first (and last) time, four women, representing a slight majority, served on the Council. The women were Ruth Spector, Rose Crenca, Esther Gelman (the Council's first Jewish woman), and Elizabeth Scull, who died in office in 1981. The only other time four women served on the Council occurred in 1990, the first year the Council had nine members. [3]
Eight years later, for the first (and last) time, four women, representing a slight majority, served on the Council. The women were Ruth Spector, Rose Crenca, Esther Gelman (the Council's first Jewish woman), and Elizabeth Scull, who died in office in 1981. The only other time four women served on the Council occurred in 1990, the first year the Council had nine members. [3]
The early 1970s also saw the creation of the Montgomery County Commission for Women. The Commission was established by law in 1972 to promote equal opportunities for women in the county as well as provide information and referral services. [4] The Commission, which is still active today, comprises fifteen members who advise the County Executive and county government on women's issues.
The early 1970s also saw the creation of the Montgomery County Commission for Women. The Commission was established by law in 1972 to promote equal opportunities for women in the county as well as provide information and referral services. [4] The Commission, which is still active today, comprises fifteen members who advise the County Executive and county government on women's issues.
One of the founding members of the Commission was Connie Morella, a former teacher and college professor, who served as Commission President from 1973 to 1974. Morella went on to serve in the Maryland House of Delegates and, in 1986, became the first woman from Montgomery County elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. [5]
One of the founding members of the Commission was Connie Morella, a former teacher and college professor, who served as Commission President from 1973 to 1974. Morella went on to serve in the Maryland House of Delegates and, in 1986, became the first woman from Montgomery County elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. [5]
Connie Morella, Montgomery History Photographs Collection.
Montgomery County Council, The Life of Odessa Shannon, YouTube video, May 18, 2020.
In 1982, history was made in Montgomery County when Odessa Shannon, a former Senior Executive in the federal government, became the first Black women elected to the Board of Education. Shannon went on to be appointed Special Assistant to the County Executive and later Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission.
In 1982, history was made in Montgomery County when Odessa Shannon, a former Senior Executive in the federal government, became the first Black women elected to the Board of Education. Shannon went on to be appointed Special Assistant to the County Executive and later Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission.
Shannon is also credited with establishing the county's Human Rights Hall of Fame, which has the mission "to honor individuals who have made great personal sacrifices in contributing to human and civil rights in Montgomery County, either as trailblazers of the past or as current light bearers in the struggle." [6] Shannon was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008. She recently passed away, in May 2020.
Shannon is also credited with establishing the county's Human Rights Hall of Fame, which has the mission "to honor individuals who have made great personal sacrifices in contributing to human and civil rights in Montgomery County, either as trailblazers of the past or as current light bearers in the struggle." [6] Shannon was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008. She recently passed away, in May 2020.
According to the Montgomery County Women's History Project, prepared by the Commission for Women, local women achieved several "firsts" during the 1990s:
According to the Montgomery County Women's History Project, prepared by the Commission for Women, local women achieved several "firsts" during the 1990s:
In 1995, Carol Merhling, who worked her way up through the male-dominated police department, including stints in the Narcotics Division and as a Patrol Sergeant, was appointed as the county's first female Police Chief.
In 1995, Carol Merhling, who worked her way up through the male-dominated police department, including stints in the Narcotics Division and as a Patrol Sergeant, was appointed as the county's first female Police Chief.
That same year, Rose Krasnow became the first woman elected as Mayor of Rockville, and she served three terms. (From 1984-1985, Viola Hovsepian served as Rockville's first woman mayor after being appointed to complete the term of an outgoing mayor.)
That same year, Rose Krasnow became the first woman elected as Mayor of Rockville, and she served three terms. (From 1984-1985, Viola Hovsepian served as Rockville's first woman mayor after being appointed to complete the term of an outgoing mayor.)
In 1998, Marielsa Bernard became the county's first Hispanic judge after she was appointed to the District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County, District 6.
In 1998, Marielsa Bernard became the county's first Hispanic judge after she was appointed to the District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County, District 6.
In 1999, Dr. Charlene Nunley became the first woman President of Montgomery College. She retired from the position in 2007. Three years later, Dr. DeRionne Pollard became the College's first African American, and openly gay, woman President.
In 1999, Dr. Charlene Nunley became the first woman President of Montgomery College. She retired from the position in 2007. Three years later, Dr. DeRionne Pollard became the College's first African American, and openly gay, woman President.
By the new millennium, women in the county had overcome numerous challenges, achieved many firsts, and made great strides as political and civic leaders. But there were more "firsts" to come.
By the new millennium, women in the county had overcome numerous challenges, achieved many firsts, and made great strides as political and civic leaders. But there were more "firsts" to come.
Valerie Ervin. Photo credit: Edward Kimmel / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0); Wikimedia Commons.
In 2006—almost 60 years after the creation of the County Council—Montgomery County residents elected Valerie Ervin as the first African American Council member. She was elected Council President in 2011.
In 2006—almost 60 years after the creation of the County Council—Montgomery County residents elected Valerie Ervin as the first African American Council member. She was elected Council President in 2011.
Prior to her service on the Council, Ervin had worked for numerous organizations and committees focused on labor relations, families, and education. She was also a founding member of Blacks United for Excellence in Education, President of the Parent-Teacher Association at Montgomery Blair High School, and an active member of the NAACP. [7]
Prior to her service on the Council, Ervin had worked for numerous organizations and committees focused on labor relations, families, and education. She was also a founding member of Blacks United for Excellence in Education, President of the Parent-Teacher Association at Montgomery Blair High School, and an active member of the NAACP. [7]
In 2014, Susan C. Lee, a former attorney with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, became the first Asian American Maryland State Senator. Prior to her election to the Senate, Lee served in the Maryland House of Delegates, where she was also the first Asian American.
In 2014, Susan C. Lee, a former attorney with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, became the first Asian American Maryland State Senator. Prior to her election to the Senate, Lee served in the Maryland House of Delegates, where she was also the first Asian American.
Lee continues to serve in the Maryland State Senate, where she works on several committees and councils focused on cybersecurity and privacy as well as prevention of domestic violence, human trafficking, and child abuse. [8] Lee was inducted into county's Human Rights Hall of Fame in 2013.
Lee continues to serve in the Maryland State Senate, where she works on several committees and councils focused on cybersecurity and privacy as well as prevention of domestic violence, human trafficking, and child abuse. [8] Lee was inducted into county's Human Rights Hall of Fame in 2013.
Susan C. Lee. Photo credit: Edward Kimmel from Takoma Park, MD / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0); Wikimedia Commons.
Footnotes:
[1]MNCPPC, Montgomery County Trends, p. 11.[2] Ibid., p. 28.[3] Montgomery County Council Former Councilmembers web page.[4] Montgomery County Archives. (2018). Guide to the Records of the Commission for Women, 1974-2001, 2007.[5] Montgomery County Commission for Women website.[6] Montgomery County Human Rights Hall of Fame web page.[7] Maryland State Archives, Maryland Manual On-Line, Montgomery County, County Council, Former Members web page.[8] Maryland State Archives, Maryland Manual On-Line, Senate web page.Header image: Leffler, W. K., photographer. (1970) Women's liberation march from Farrugut Square to Layfette i.e., Lafayette Park / WKL. Washington D.C, 1970. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2003673992/.
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