HILLDORA

Interview with Dora O. Hill, 1969

 

1969-12-30

 

Interviewer: Simons, Kermit

Hill was the first female mayor of Newport Beach, California from 1954-58. She was married, with 3 sons. Hill taught at Hillsdale College, Michigan until she married, having majored in English, minored in history. She and her husband came to Newport Beach in 1942 and she did war work and then volunteered for Parent Teacher Association, the Assistance League of Newport Beach, and was a member of Library Board for 6 or 7 years. She didn't feel well qualified but ran as a "housewife" for the city council when pressed. The council members elect the mayor, and she served one year before having to run again because the charter had just been approved by the State of California. She received the most votes and thus was elected to serve for three years; she thus served as mayor for four years. The first year she was mayor she was the only woman mayor in California. After study, an ordinance was passed that rentals were legally required to submit to inspection two weeks before the spring student holiday; the ordinance was struck down, and Hill faced a recall. However, she survived politically, and the business owners who had accused her of ruining their business discovered that they had been mistaken.

Women in politics; Newport Beach; Mayors; Women mayors; Dora O. Hill; Newport Beach City Council; City councils; Press Telegram; Assistance League of Newport Beach; City charters; Gender roles; Open door policies; Slot machines; Spring break

617 Via Lido Soud

California - Newport Beach - Lido Isle

© San Diego State University. All rights reserved.

 

 

English

 

Audiotape

01:33:29

No

 

 

 

Audio

MP3

113.85 MB