- Collection:
- Athens Oral History Project, 2014-2016
- Title:
- Gwen O'Looney interviewed by Betsy Bean. 14 November 2014.
- Creator:
- O'Looney, Gwen Ingram
Bean, Betsy - Contributor to Resource:
- Bean, Betsy
- Date of Original:
- 2014-11-14
- Subject:
- Georgia--Athens
Women mayors
Georgia
Women mayors--Georgia
Athens (Ga.)--Politics and government
Politics and government - People:
- O'Looney, Gwen Ingram
- Location:
- United States, Georgia, Clarke County, Athens, 33.96095, -83.37794
- Medium:
- interviews
oral histories (literary works) - Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- Interviewed by Betsy Bean.
O'Looney recalls growing up on St. Simons Island, Georgia, graduating from the University of Georgia, and her early work, including positions in educational programming such as the Boys and Girls Club of America, and in human resources in Governor Carter's administration. She discusses moving to Athens, Georgia, and the start of her political involvement through her election to city council in 1984. She discusses the nature of local politics during the mid-1980s, the strong mayor system, and the socioeconomic aspects and the educational system in Athens. O'Looney talks about the passage of the historic preservation ordinance, its opposition, and the growing liberal contingent at the University of Georgia and the extent of its clout in city politics. She discusses controversial issues, including regulations surrounding the sale of alcohol in downtown Athens and the extension of bar hours. O'Looney also discusses race relations in Athens, racial representation on the city council, and notable African-American politicians, such as John Taylor, Ed Turner, and Miriam Moore, Athens' first African-American woman on city council. O'Looney discusses the background of the Athens-Clarke County unification process, including previous attempts at unification, the establishment of a charter committee, advertisement of the charter to the public, and the successful referendum of the charter. O'Looney recalls her decision to run for mayor, the band REM's support for her campaign, and her runoff against E.H. Cullpepper. She reflects on her experience of gender discrimination as mayor, and managing issues in the newly consolidated government, including solid waste management, the establishment of the Classic Center, and the reconciliation of duplicate laws and departments. O'Looney discusses her re-election as mayor, and describes the extent and limitation of her governing power as Chief Elected Officer (CEO) of Athens-Clarke County.
Gwendolyn Ingram O'Looney was born in Meridian, Mississippi and grew up in St. Simons Island, Georgia. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia. After graduation, she served as a nurse during the Vietnam War. Later in her career, she served as Director of the Youth Division of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, as state coordinator of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), and as founder of Community Connection. She served in the Human Resources department of former governor Jimmy Carter, and as director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. O'Looney served two terms on the Athens City Council, and later was elected to the office of mayor, otherwise known as Chief Elected Officer (CEO), of Athens. She was the first mayor of the newly-established unified Athens-Clarke County, where she served two terms. - Metadata URL:
- http://purl.libs.uga.edu/russell/RBRL361AOHP-004/ohms
- Language:
- eng
- Additional Rights Information:
- Resources may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Athens Oral History Project, AOHP 004, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.
- Extent:
- 1 interview (132 min.) : sd., col.
- Original Collection:
- Athens Oral History Project
http://russelldoc.galib.uga.edu/russell/view?docId=ead/RBRL361AOHP-ead.xml - Holding Institution:
- Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
- Rights:
-
