MORGANTOWN — The five women who have served Morgantown as its mayor were honored at the start of Tuesday’s Morgantown City Council meeting.
Susan Arnold and Brenda Shinkovich, representing the Hagans Evans Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), were on hand, explaining that the recognition is in line with DAR’s efforts to promote American history and the women who make it.
In particular, two historically significant mayors were recognized.
The late Dorothy Comuntzis was recognized as the city’s first female mayor. Comuntzis was elected to city council in 1972 and became the city’s mayor about a year later.
Charlene Marshall became the first African American woman to be mayor in West Virginia history when she took office in 1991. Marshall went on to serve more than a decade in the West Virginia House of Delegates.
Plaques featuring Comuntzis and Marshall were presented for placement in Morgantown City Hall.
Former mayors Jenny Selin, Marti Shamberger and the late Florence Mer-ow, were also recognized.
