I came across an interesting find today at Dania Beach City Hall! My attention was caught by a large solid wood plaque of all the past mayors of our city. On this plaque was an empowering reminder that a woman served as Mayor from 1963-1964.
Isn’t that pretty awesome?
I instantly wanted to know more about her. What was Vera Hill’s Story? How did she accomplish becoming the first woman; one of only a handful, Mayors of Dania Beach?
As I got into my car, I remembered The Dania Women’s Club has Back Logs from meetings going back decades. I had my assumptions that she was a member, and in fact she was! In the mean time, I foundVera Hill’s obituary in 1986 collection on the Sun Sentinel’s website.
Vera Hill, 69
First Woman Dania Mayor
DANIA — Vera Hill, the city`s first woman city commissioner and mayor, died Tuesday after a two-year battle with cancer. She was 69.
After knocking on doors and shaking hands with everyone she met, Mrs. Hill, in 1963, was the highest vote-getter and immediately became mayor after winning a two-year term on the commission.
“She was just an outgoing person,“ said her nephew, Commissioner C.K. “Mac“ McElyea. “She campaigned to bring local government to the people. She was quite active.“
McElyea said that Mrs. Hill, while mayor, was instrumental in getting a sewer system installed in east Dania through a bond issue. She also approved the expansion of the Dania Jai Alai Palace, built in 1953.
Mrs. Hill lived in Dania for 60 years and was a member of the Dania Women’s Club and the Dania United Methodist Church.
In case you didn’t already know, Dania Beach is a small town. The Women’s Club is not my only connection to Mrs. Hill.
Nancy Anzalone, My Mother, listed and sold her nephew’s (who is quoted above) daughter’s home last year! Maybe I can reach out to her and ask her a few questions about her Great-Grandmother!
The journey to find out more continues!