Category: Politics and Government

The LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS (LWV) OF CLEVELAND was formed in April 1920 by a group of suffragists, after the disbanding of the Woman's Suffrage Party of Greater Cleveland. Founders followed the example of the National American Woman's Suffrage Association, which had organized the National League of Women Voters in February 1920.

LEWIS, FANNIE (6 June 1926 - 11 August 2008) was the Ward 7 representative for the CLEVELAND CITY COUNCIL, an area that included the city's Hough neighborhood, for almost thirty years.

LOCAL CLEVELAND, a branch of the Socialist Party of America, supported the collective ownership of industry, the solidarity of worker interests, and their right to demand better working conditions through union action. Organized shortly after the national Socialist Party was formed in 1901, Local Cleveland claimed 342 members by 1909.

The MAYOR'S ADVISORY WAR COMMITTEE (1917-19) was formed on 7 Apr. 1917, soon after the declaration of war by Congress. This cooperative effort—designed to increase efficiency of money, time, and effort—gained national recognition. Mayor HARRY L.

The MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION OF ANTHONY J. CELEBREZZE (1953-62) came at a time when Cleveland's post-WORLD WAR II prosperity was beginning to decline and employment and housing problems began to surface. Celebrezze received his law degree from Ohio Northern Univ.

The MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION OF CARL B. STOKES (1967-1971) was marked by progress, controversy, and the unrest prevalent in many urban areas of the U.S. Stokes, a graduate of CLEVELAND MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL, was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1957 and served as an asst. prosecutor in the city's law department for 4 years.

The MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION OF DENNIS J. KUCINICH (1977-79) was characterized by disputes and turmoil as the Democratic mayor survived an attempted recall election and was faced with Cleveland's DEFAULT on its financial obligations. Kucinich's political career began with his election to Cleveland City Council in 1969, where he served 3 terms while completing his B.A. and M.A.

The MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION OF FRANK G. JACKSON has been characterized by stability amid difficult economic times. Although unable to reverse the effects of population decline, Mayor Jackson managed to sponsor a number of development plans, avoid scandals, and win re-election by wide margins.

The MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION OF GEORGE V. VOINOVICH (1979-1989) began with the city in default on $110 million of its financial obligations. Republican Mayor Voinovich balanced the city budget, allowing the city to escape from DEFAULT and reorganized the city's administration.

The MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION OF MICHAEL R. WHITE (1990-2001) was the longest in the history of Cleveland, encompassing three four-year terms. White's period in office was marked by his desire to balance downtown development initiatives with an equal concern for the needs of the urban poor, and especially the youth. White attended Ohio State Univ., receiving a B.A. degree in 1973 and a M.P.A in 1974.

The MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION OF RALPH J. PERK (1972-77) came at a time when serious financial problems were developing in the city, and the mayor was able to obtain federal revenue sharing funds to help meet current expenses. Perk began his political career in 1940 as a Republican precinct committeeman and was appointed to the staff of the Ohio attorney general's office in 1950.

The MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION OF RALPH S. LOCHER (1962-67) was characterized by progress in some areas, but also by racial turmoil, which accompanied agitation for social and economic change in the city. Locher was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1939. After practicing law for 6 years and serving briefly as secretary to the Ohio State Industrial Commission, he became Governor Frank Lausche's executive secretary in 1946.

The 1969 MCDONALD'S BOYCOTT was a late Civil Rights era protest aiming to win Black Ownership of ‘Inner-City’ McDonald’s franchises, then a rapidly-growing business. The Boycott lasted nearly 2 months, and was an important event that encapsulated the shift from the politics of the Civil Rights Movement to the era of Black Power.