Shirley Huffman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shirley Huffman
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Huffman in 1998
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| Mayor of Hillsboro, Oregon | |
| In office 1985–1993 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Darr |
| Succeeded by | Gordon Faber |
| Member of the Hillsboro City Council | |
| In office 1977–1985 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Shirley Todd
August 30, 1928 Bowdle, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | July 1, 2018 (aged 89) Ventura, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Thomas Huffman (d. 1999) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Hillsboro, Oregon |
Shirley Todd Huffman (born August 30, 1928 – died July 1, 2018) was an important American politician. She worked as a legal secretary in Oregon. Shirley grew up in Dayton, Oregon, and later moved to Hillsboro, Oregon.
In Hillsboro, she first served on the city council. After that, she became the mayor of Hillsboro for two terms, from 1985 to 1993. During her time as mayor, big plans for the Westside Light Rail were approved. Many people believe Shirley Huffman helped bring this train line all the way into downtown Hillsboro. After being mayor, she continued to help her community in different ways.
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Early Life and Family
Shirley Todd was born on August 30, 1928, in Bowdle, South Dakota. She met Thomas A. Huffman when they were both seven years old in Dayton, Oregon. They got married in 1949 and had two children, a son named Tom Jr. and a daughter named Julie.
The Huffman family moved to Hillsboro in 1954. Shirley worked as a legal secretary for her husband, who was a lawyer. She was also a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Hillsboro.
Starting a Political Career
Shirley Huffman began her political journey in June 1977. She was asked to join the Hillsboro City Council to fill a spot that was open. At first, she thought it would be a short time helping the city.
However, she was then elected to the council in 1978. She served on the city council until 1985. In 1984, she decided to run for mayor. She won the election without anyone running against her. This made her Hillsboro’s first woman mayor.
Changes to the Mayor's Term
When Shirley Huffman first became mayor, the term was only two years long. She worked to change the city's rules so that the mayor's term would be four years. Both the city council and the voters agreed to this change.
Now, mayors in Hillsboro serve for four years, but they can only serve two terms in a row. In 1988, she ran for re-election and won again without opposition. This time, her term was for four years.
What a Mayor Does
Being mayor was a part-time job, and it was not paid. But Shirley Huffman still worked a lot, often 35 to 40 hours each week. Her work included representing Hillsboro at official events. She also talked to leaders to get things done for the city.
Bringing MAX Light Rail to Hillsboro
Shirley Huffman is well-known for helping to extend the MAX light rail system. The train was originally planned to stop at 185th Avenue. But she worked hard to bring it all the way to downtown Hillsboro.
She even had a strong phone call with the head of the Federal Transit Administration. She also made trips to Washington DC to talk about the project. Fred Hansen, who managed TriMet (the public transport company), said that without Shirley, the train would not have reached Hillsboro Central Station.
In 2000, a special plaque was placed at the Hillsboro Central Station. It honors Shirley Huffman's hard work. The plaque says: "Shirley's vision and leadership brought MAX to Hillsboro, linking the region and its people together."
Working with Regional Government
As mayor, Shirley Huffman was not always in favor of the regional government called Metro. She helped pass a city rule that said Metro should only keep its current powers. She also worked with other city and county leaders to fight Metro on plans for garbage transfer stations.
Sister City and City Growth
In 1988, Mayor Huffman traveled to Fukuroi, Japan. She signed an agreement to create a "sister-city" relationship with the Japanese city. During her time as mayor, many Japanese companies opened businesses in Hillsboro.
Hillsboro grew a lot while she was mayor. The number of people living in the city went from about 29,000 to around 40,000. Other city leaders praised her for her work. They said she was good at getting people to agree and making things happen for Hillsboro.
Later Years and Legacy
After leaving office, Shirley Huffman continued to be involved in her community. In 1993, the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce named her their "distinguished citizen." She also worked as an economic development coordinator for the Chamber.
She joined the TriMet board of directors in 1992 and served for eight years. In 1993, the auditorium at the Public Services Building was named in her honor. This building is used by both the county and the city.
Shirley Huffman passed away on July 1, 2018, in Ventura, California, at the age of 89. She is remembered for her dedication to Hillsboro and her important role in bringing the MAX light rail to the city.
Images for kids
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Huffman in 1998
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Hillsboro Central MAX Station
