Since Abraham H. Howland took the oath of office in 1847, New Bedford has elected 49 mayors, 48 of whom were men, but only one was a woman.

Cynthia Kruger, a 16-year veteran city councilor, served as acting mayor from late 1982 to January 1983 – but Kruger was never elected mayor. She was simply a placeholder.

The only woman elected Mayor of New Bedford was Rosemary S. Tierney, the 46th chief executive, who served from 1992 to 1998.

Mayor Jon Mitchell via Facebook
Mayor Jon Mitchell via Facebook
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New Bedford has always been a progressive city. Voters have elected women city councilors, school committee members and assessors, including Rosalind Poll Brooker, Maureen Cavenaugh, Dorothy Eve Kearney, Viola Pina, Margery "Ruby" Dottin and Mary Santos Barros.

Why Has Only One Woman Been Elected Mayor of New Bedford?

"There's probably a multitude of reasons," said Ramona "Mona" Silva, a former Ward 4 City Councilor and one-time school committee member. When pressed, however, Silva declined to elaborate.

At-large city councilor and one-time mayoral contender Linda Morad ignored multiple messages seeking comment, and attempts to converse with former Ward 5 Councilor Jane Gonsalves failed.

Former Ward 4 City Councilor Dana Rebeiro agreed to comment – then didn't.

Current Ward 2 Councilor Maria Giesta was to the point.

"As they say, no comment," she said.

When asked why, Giesta replied, "Because I really have nothing to say on that topic. I appreciate you asking, but I have no comment."

At-Large Councilor Naomi Carney may have been half joking when she said, "I'm not sure, women are smarter than men," before ultimately responding with, "I don't know why."

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One Former Councilor Thinks She Knows Why

Former At-Large Councilor Deborah Coelho had the most to say.

"I personally think it takes a lot out of your life," Coelho said. "You have to really want it and with that kind of responsibility you have to prioritize."

Coelho said there is "no doubt" New Bedford has had "very qualified women to run for office."

"There are obviously different challenges for women than for men," she said. "Women have yet to establish generational clout. When men run for office, they always have the family as a backdrop support system. Women, on the other hand, are the center of the family."

"It's a great challenge and a very difficult balance," she said.

Coelho suggested sexism could still play a part.

"It is still believed that when a woman runs for office she is overstepping her bounds," she said. "Prejudice plays into it."

New Bedford Mayors
Barry Richard / Townsquare Media
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A Journalist's Perspective

Susan Pawlak-Seaman covered New Bedford for 45 years as a reporter, night editor and columnist for the Standard-Times.

She too thinks sexism plays a role.

"As much as I hate to say it, I think that many voters in this country are basically unwilling to elect women to political office at many levels," she said. "No matter how accomplished and competent we are."

Pawlak-Seaman acknowledged that many women have successfully run for office, but are still struggling for representation.

"In the scheme of things, women remain woefully underrepresented in politics and in any seats of power. Think business, tech, pro sports to name a few," she said.

"At 71 going on 72, I thought that long ago, I would have seen a female president," Pawlak-Seaman said. "But now, I seriously doubt I will see that happen in my lifetime."

"Sexism and, yes, misogyny, while sometimes prettily disguised, is still very much a factor. I don't see that changing anytime soon," she said.

New Bedford Mayors

New Bedford has had 49 different mayors, along with two acting mayors and one interim mayor.

Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg

Remembering Former New Bedford Mayor John 'Jack' Markey

Former New Bedford mayor and longtime district court judge John A. "Jack" Markey passed away on January 14, 2024 at the age of 89.

Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg

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