Anne Rudin (January 27, 1924 – November 25, 2021) was an American politician who served as the 51st Mayor of Sacramento from her election in 1983 until she stepped down, after declining to seek a third term in 1992. She was Sacramento's first elected female mayor.

Background

Anne Rudin grew up in a working-class Italian American family in

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

during the

Great Depression The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...

. Rudin started her career as a

registered nurse A registered nurse (RN) is a healthcare professional who has graduated or successfully passed a nursing program from a recognized nursing school and met the requirements outlined by a country, state, province or similar government-authorized ...

. She was also very active in the local and state

League of Women Voters The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a nonpartisan American nonprofit political organization. Founded in 1920, its ongoing major activities include Voter registration, registering voters, providing voter information, boosting voter turnout and adv ...

. Rudin was first elected to the

Sacramento City Council The Sacramento City Council is the governing body of the city of Sacramento, California. The council holds regular meetings at Sacramento City Hall on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm, with exceptions for holidays and other special cases. Sacramento's city co ...

in 1971. She played a significant role in the whirlwind of change and growth that transformed

Sacramento Sacramento ( or ; ; ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the seat of Sacramento County. Located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in Northern California's Sacramento Valley, Sacramento's 2020 p ...

from a quiet government and agricultural town into a bustling, large city. She cast the lone vote against a controversial plan to develop North Natomas.

Mayoralty

Rudin traveled to distant countries to speak of things not directly related to Sacramento but related to politics such as promoting world peace. She also used the influence of her office to fight for nuclear disarmament, affordable housing, gay rights, local anti-smoking laws, bans on assault weapons, and limits to campaign contributions. During her time in office, she also pushed for the creation of the regional light-rail system.

Later life and death

She was widowed by her husband, psychiatrist Edward Rudin, who died from prostate cancer on June 12, 2003. On August 12, 2005, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs awarded Rudin's Foreign Minister's Commendation, which was accompanied by an engraved silver cup, for her efforts in promoting

bilateral relations Bilateralism is the conduct of political, economic, or cultural relations between two sovereign states. It is in contrast to unilateralism or multilateralism, which is activity by a single state or jointly by multiple states, respectively. When ...

between Japan and United States during her term as mayor. Rudin died from pneumonia on November 25, 2021, at the age of 97.Anne Rudin, first woman elected mayor in Sacramento history, dies at 97
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References

External links

– League of Women Voters of Sacramento County {{DEFAULTSORT:Rudin, Anne 1924 births 2021 deaths 20th-century mayors of places in California 21st-century American women Women mayors of places in California American people of Italian descent Mayors of Sacramento, California Politicians from Philadelphia American nurses West Philadelphia High School alumni