Katherine Mayo Cowan (January 10, 1883 – December 5, 1975) was the first woman mayor in North Carolina,[1] and as of 2021, the only woman to serve as mayor of Wilmington, North Carolina.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
Katherine Mayo Cowan | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Wilmington, North Carolina | |
| In office 1924–1925 | |
| Preceded by | James H. Cowan |
| Succeeded by | Walter H. Blair |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Katherine Elizabeth Mayo January 10, 1883 |
| Died | December 5, 1975 (aged 92) |
| Resting place | Oakdale Cemetery, Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S. |
Early life
editKatherine Elizabeth Mayo was born on January 10, 1883, the daughter of William E. Mayo and Mary Agnes Mayo.[2][8]
Career
editIn 1921, Cowan's husband James was elected mayor.[9] When he died in office, she was appointed to fill his term.[10][11][12] She was a member of the local chapter of the League of Women Voters and was the local representative to the 1925 national convention.[13]
Cowan ran to be mayor for a second term, although spent no money on her campaign, and did not actively campaign for office.[14] Cowan lost the election.[15] According to an account in 1929, "Mrs. Cowan served during the closing months of 1924 and until June 1925 when she yielded the reins of office….to Mr. Walter H. Blair, elected in May 1925."[4]
By 1930, Cowan lived in Charlotte, and was a saleslady at a dry goods store.[16]
In the 1930s, Cowan was active in Democratic politics in Washington, DC.[17] By the late 1930s, Cowan was a supervisor with the Works Progress Administration.[18]
Personal life
editKatherine Cowan married James Hill Cowan in 1904.[19][20] They eloped after a brief engagement. At the time, the newspaper reported "The bride is a young woman of striking personality and charming manner."
By 1920, the Cowans lived on 214 Nun Street, James was the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce. He and Katherine had five children, aged 14 years old to five months old.[21]
She died on December 5, 1975, at the age of 92, and is buried in Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Markovich, Jeremy (2015-11-04). "A Milestone for Women, Mayors, and North Carolina". Our State. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ a b c "106 women who have made a difference in Wilmington". Wilmington Star-News. March 3, 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
- ^ Ingram, Hunter (March 12, 2020). "Cape Fear Unearthed: Wilmington's Trailblazing Women". Wilmington Star News. Archived from the original on 2021-10-10. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ a b "The First Woman Mayor". Wilmington Morning Star. 1929-02-12.
- ^ "Woman Becomes Mayor". Washington Evening Star. 1924-09-23.
- ^ "Wilmington North Carolina". Miami Herald. 1924-09-24.
- ^ "Photos: 100 for 100th: Women who have shaped Wilmington". Wilmington Star News. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. Microfilm. Record Group 048. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.
- ^ Wilmington Dispatch, May 18, 1921
- ^ "Mrs. Cowan Named Mayor to Succeed Her Late Husband" Wilmington Morning Star, September 19, 1924
- ^ Mayor K. M, Cowan To Be Sworn Into Office this AM" Wilmington Morning Star, September 22, 1924
- ^ "Wilmington Has Woman Mayor". The Mount Airy News. September 25, 1924. p. 8. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ Wilmington News Dispatch, March 12, 1925
- ^ "Mrs. Cowan Will Seek Re-election to Mayoralty". Wilmington Morning Star. March 19, 1925.
- ^ "Walter Blair is Sworn in Monday as City's Mayor". Wilmington Morning Star. June 2, 1925.
- ^ 1930 census, Charlotte North Carolina
- ^ "Women's Democratic Board Will Convene," Washington Evening Star, June 6, 1935
- ^ 1938 Washington DC City Directory
- ^ "A Romantic Marriage". Wilmington Messenger. June 24, 1904.
- ^ Wilmington Dispatch. June 24, 1904.
Mr. James H. Cowan, one of Wilmington's most popular and polished young men, and Miss. Katherine Elizabeth Mayo, the charming daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Mayo, were the principals in a romantic marriage which was celebrated at 6 o'clock p.m. yesterday at the rectory of St. Thomas' Catholic Church…
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ 1920 Census, Wilmington NC