Dear Honorable Mayor Combs,
Maybe Menlo Park should consider something like this to honor the first female City Council Mayor, much like your Sister City in Galway, Ireland has done. If so, between 1927 and 2025 (nearly 100 years) the first female mayor in Menlo Park was Peg Gunn (per the Summary of Mayors attached). If you have any questions or need further documentation, please let me know.
Also attached is an article about the Mayors of Menlo Park that may be of interest.
Respectfully, Jim Lewis
Encl.: Menlo Park Mayor Summary (1 page)
Article, The Mayors of Menlo Park (6 pages)
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This summer marks 50 years since Mary Byrne made history as the first woman elected Mayor of Galway – and now, Henry Street Playground will be named in her honor.
It’s a symbolic gesture that reflects everything Mary stood for: community, progress, and a deep love for this city and its people.
Back in 1975, Mary shattered the glass ceiling when she became Galway’s first Lady Mayor – a milestone moment for the West of Ireland. She was a campaigner with real heart and grit, standing up for orphans, victims of domestic violence, and anyone who needed a voice. She was the first woman to run for the Dáil in Galway West for Fianna Fáil, alongside Jonny Geoghegan and Bobby Molloy – a bold move at the time, but one that showed her relentless determination to shape a better Galway.
She didn’t stop there – Mary was re-elected mayor in 1984 to lead Galway through its quincentennial celebrations and laid the foundation stone for City Hall on College Road in 1985. A legacy of action, not just words.
This playground will now carry her name, reminding future generations that change happens when brave people step forward.
The Galway Advertiser Galway City Council
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