PITTSBURGH, PA (PTTP) – Sophie Masloff became the first woman Mayor of Pittsburgh over 30 years ago. Not only was Masloff the first woman mayor, but she was also the first Jewish woman Mayor.
Born in 1917 to Romanian immigrants, Masloff grew up in the Hill District. Masloff worked in various Civil Service jobs for about 58 years. In 1984, she spent 12 days in Russia to help Jews who were not permitted to emigrate. Four years later, she was appointed mayor after the current one had passed away.
Masloff ran for reelection in 1989 where she served her first full term as the Mayor of Pittsburgh. As mayor, Masloff helped rebuild Pittsburgh to what it is today; building stadiums for our National sports teams, helping create Phipps Conservatory, and slashing taxes to prevent young people from leaving the city.
Masloff’s ideas also consisted of residential recycling, mandatory police drug testing, and privatizing some city-owned assets.
Masloff’s contribution and creation of the city of Pittsburgh continues to grow and expand years later.
Credit: The New York Times