Photo by Cameron Healy
On April 1, Gulfport’s City Council meeting had an audience that overflowed into the parking lot.
Residents and neighboring community members packed City Hall. Approximately 80 people sat in chambers’ seats and about 10 people stood in the doorway and hallway. Another 70 to 80 people sat outside in the parking lot next to the fire department. The City set up two dozen chairs facing two TVs that streamed the entire meeting. As seats filled up, people rolled in on their golf carts and brought lawn chairs for the swearings-in.
Photo by Cameron Healy
The meeting took a few tries to begin because the noise of the crowd drowned out the microphones. After the city attorney began the meeting, City Clerk Theresa Carrico swore in the new council members. Marlene Shaw (Ward II) and Nancy Earley (Ward IV) went first. “I will,” they both swore, after the city clerk read the oath.
Karen Love swore her oath next. Her boyfriend and her daughter joined her in front of the embossed Seal of Gulfport on the wall.
“I do,” she said, and became mayor of Gulfport.
Photo by Cameron Healy
Speeches From Gulfport’s First All-Female Council
Each new member was given a chance to speak after swearing their oaths.
Earley went off the cuff, “I just want to thank everyone that has supported me. I look forward to working with these lovely people, and doing the best I can for Ward IV and for all of Gulfport.”
Photo by Cameron Healy
Love had a prepared speech. She began with thanks.
“Thank you to everybody. To all the candidates who have gone before us. And especially to all the female candidates who have gone before us when it wasn’t their time, like it is now,” Love said.
An applause briefly interrupted her before she continued.
Photo by Cameron Healy
Swearing-in Gulfport’s first all-female council is not all that happened at the April 1 meeting. Read about business items, what we overheard, and permit discussions.
“I have to give a big shout out and an appreciation to Yvonne Johnson who’s here tonight,” she said.
Yvonne Johnson served as Gulfport’s first female mayor. She served on council from 1972 to 1984 and as mayor from 1985 to 1987. Johnson sat front row at the April 1 Gulfport City Council meeting.
Photo by Cameron Healy
Mayor Love’s speech went on to acknowledge the all-female council.
“I understand that this is history. I also want to say that as mayor, I don’t see females. What I see is a strong, energetic, professional, proactive group of people who I know are willing to get to work for you tonight,” Love said. “I did say as part of my campaign that I would lead with transparency, compromise, collaboration, active listening, and decorum… I hope you will witness all of that tonight.”
Photo by Cameron Healy
Invoking the First Meeting of Gulfport’s All-Female Council
Council member Shaw gave the invocation.
“Our community made history during Women’s History Month,” Shaw said. “Let us put the needs of others before our own, act with love for the common good, and elevate public discourse. Let us champion the press, be good neighbors, and recognize our shared humanity in every person we meet. May every voice be heard, and may all genders be welcomed, respected, and met with civility on this council forevermore.”
Lastly, she read out the names of all the women who had sat on Gulfport’s City Council before her. She also acknowledged the ones who were in the room.
Photo by Cameron Healy
The Gabber Newspaper? We Go There
In 1968, our founder, George Brann, started The Gabber Newspaper, then called the Gulfport Gabber, to hold Gulfport City Council accountable. Read more of our city council coverage, and learn about our policies on reporting, fact-checking, and funding.
