Mary Singleton facts for kids
Mary Littlejohn Singleton (born September 20, 1926 – died December 7, 1980) was an important teacher and politician from Florida. She served on the Jacksonville, Florida City Council. She was on the council both before and after Jacksonville joined with Duval County in 1968. In 1967, she made history as one of the first two black women elected to the Council. She was re-elected after the city and county joined together and served until 1972.
In 1972, Mary Singleton was elected to the state legislature. She was the first woman and the first black person from North Florida to be elected to that group. She served there until 1976. Later, she ran for lieutenant governor but did not win. After that, she was appointed to a state job and lived in Tallahassee.
Growing Up and Learning
Mary Littlejohn was born in Jacksonville in 1926. She went to local schools that were separated by race at the time. Her parents believed in the power of education. She earned her degree from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. This is a special university that was created for black students. After college, she went back to Jacksonville to teach in the schools there.
Mary Littlejohn married Isadore Singleton. He became a leader in the civil rights movement in Jacksonville after World War II. He was also the president of the Jacksonville Negro Chamber of Commerce. He helped lead Brewster Hospital. Isadore also worked for the Peace Corps, a program started by President John F. Kennedy. Isadore died young in 1964. Later, Singleton Park was named after him by the Jacksonville City Council.
Making a Difference in Politics
Mary Singleton started her own political journey. She worked to help people with lower incomes in the city. She was very active in the black community. She also led the Child Day Care Commission.
After her husband passed away, Mary Singleton became even more involved in politics in 1967. A new law called the Voting Rights Act of 1965 helped protect the right to vote for all citizens. Because of this law, she became one of the first two black women to run for and win a seat on the Jacksonville City Council. She won the nomination for the Ward 2 seat. She defeated a white opponent with many votes. Mary Singleton and Sallye Mathis were both elected to the City Council that year. Mary Singleton was also elected to the first City Council after Jacksonville and Duval County joined. She served two terms from 1968 to 1972.
In 1972, Mary Singleton was elected to the Florida House of Representatives for District 16. She won the nomination and had no opponent from the other major party. She was the first black person from north Florida to be elected to the Florida Legislature since the Reconstruction era. She was also the first woman from that area to serve. She was reelected in 1974.
In June 1976, Mary Singleton was chosen to lead the Division of Elections. This office is part of the Secretary of State of Florida's department. She was the first black person and the second woman to hold this important job.
Mary Singleton later left her job as elections director. She wanted to run for Lieutenant Governor of Florida in the 1978 state elections. She ran with Claude R. Kirk Jr., a former governor. She had to pause her campaign in August 1978 to be with her daughter, Carol Scott, who was having surgery. Mary Singleton and her running mate did not win the election.
Mary Singleton passed away on December 7, 1980. She was 54 years old and was at her home in Tallahassee. At the time, she was working as a director for the state comptroller's office.
Her Lasting Impact
Mary Singleton is remembered for her hard work and dedication.
- The Governor of Florida declared December 7, 1990, as "Mary Singleton Day." This day honored her efforts for peace and togetherness.
- The Jacksonville City Council also recognized January 30, 1992, as "Mary Singleton Day."
- The City Council created the "Mary L. Singleton Memorial Award." This award is given each year to a committee chair who shows outstanding work in justice, peace, and social harmony.
- A senior center in Jacksonville, located at 150 E. First Street, was named in her honor.
