Ivy Taylor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ivy Taylor
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Taylor in 2017
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| Mayor of San Antonio | |
| In office July 22, 2014 – June 21, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Julian Castro |
| Succeeded by | Ron Nirenberg |
| Member of the San Antonio City Council from District 2 | |
| In office 2009–2014 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | June 17, 1970 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Rodney Taylor |
| Alma mater | Yale University (AB) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (MS) University of Pennsylvania (Ed.D.) |
| Profession | Urban planner |
| Website | City website Campaign website |
Ivy Ruth Taylor (born June 17, 1970) is an important leader who served as the Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, from 2014 to 2017. She was also the president of Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, from 2017 to 2023. Before becoming mayor, she worked as an urban planner.
Ivy Taylor made history as the first African American person to be elected mayor of San Antonio. She was also only the second woman to hold that position. She was the first African-American woman mayor of a city with more than one million people.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Where Ivy Taylor Grew Up
Ivy Taylor was born in Brooklyn, a part of New York City. She spent her childhood in Queens, another borough of New York. Her parents moved to New York City from Wilmington, North Carolina. They did not go to college and divorced when she was young.
Ivy Taylor's College Journey
Ivy Taylor went to several universities to get her education. In 1992, she earned a bachelor's degree in American Studies from Yale University in Connecticut. Later, in 1998, she received a master's degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She continued her studies and earned a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020.
While she was a student, Ivy Taylor also gained practical experience. In 1997, she completed an internship with a group that helps provide affordable housing in San Antonio.
Career and Public Service
Early Career in San Antonio
After finishing her studies, Ivy Taylor returned to San Antonio in 1999. She started working for the city's Housing and Community Development Department. She helped with community development projects.
After six years, in 2004, she began working for Merced Housing Texas. This organization also focuses on providing affordable housing. She also served on the City Planning Commission from 2006 to 2008. She was part of other important boards, like the Urban Renewal Agency and Haven for Hope.
Leading Rust College
On June 1, 2020, Ivy Taylor became the president of Rust College. This is a historic college in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She led the college until May 6, 2023.
Teaching and Advising Roles
Between 2009 and 2020, Ivy Taylor was a guest lecturer at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She taught at the College of Public Policy. In February 2024, she became a senior advisor for the University of North Carolina system. She also started working as a professor at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Government.
Political Career
Joining the San Antonio City Council
Ivy Taylor was first elected to the San Antonio City Council in 2009. She represented District 2, which is on the east side of the city. She was re-elected to this position in 2011 and 2013.
Becoming Mayor of San Antonio
In 2014, the mayor of San Antonio, Julian Castro, left his position. He was chosen to work for President Barack Obama's government. The San Antonio City Council needed to choose a new mayor from among its members.
On July 22, 2014, the council members voted. Ivy Taylor was chosen to be the interim mayor. This meant she would serve until the next election.
Running for Mayor in 2015
Even though she first said she wouldn't run, Ivy Taylor decided to seek re-election in 2015. In the election on May 9, 2015, no candidate won more than half the votes. So, a second election, called a runoff election, was held on June 13.
Ivy Taylor ran against Leticia Van de Putte. Ivy Taylor won the runoff election with 51.7% of the votes. This allowed her to serve a full two-year term as mayor.
The 2017 Mayoral Election
On November 13, 2016, Ivy Taylor announced she would run for mayor again. The election was held on May 6, 2017. She advanced to a runoff election on June 10, 2017. However, she was defeated by city councilman Ron Nirenberg.
Mayor's Time in Office
Key Decisions as Mayor
While on the city council in 2013, Ivy Taylor voted against a new rule. This rule would have stopped discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. When she became mayor in 2014, she created the city's Office of Diversity and Inclusion. This office helps handle complaints about discrimination.
She also helped stop a plan to build a streetcar system in downtown San Antonio. Many people who believed in careful spending of public money were against this project.
Political Views
Ivy Taylor considers herself an independent politician. However, she is registered as a Democrat because she votes in their primary elections. She has described her views as "fiscally conservative and socially conservative." This means she believes in careful government spending and traditional social values.
Awards and Recognition
In 2004, Ivy Taylor received the "40 under 40" Rising Star award from the San Antonio Business Journal. This award recognizes young, successful professionals.
Personal Life
Ivy Taylor is married to Rodney Taylor, and they have one daughter. When they lived in San Antonio, her husband ran a business. The family lived in the Dignowity Hill neighborhood.
