A Brief History of Women in Transylvania Politics

In April 1922, Mrs. Roxie Dunn announced that she was running on the Democratic ticket for County Treasurer.  In his endorsement Oat Bryson stated, “Much has been said about the desirability of the woman voter, if we have the women voter, logically we must have the woman office holder.”  Although Mrs. Dunn was defeated in the primary by Ed Paxton Jr. she did make history as the first women in Transylvania County to run for a political office.

In 1921 women were appointed to serve on rural school boards at Blantyre,
Davidson River, East Fork, Island Ford and Selica.  Pictured: Selica School.

During this time period the Democratic Party held a primary in Transylvania County, however the Republican Party nominated candidates for the general election.  In 1928, Mrs. Thelma Fisher was the first woman nominated as a candidate for the County School Board.  It does not appear that she was elected.

In 1932, Mrs. Rholly Galloway ran in the Democrat primary for County Treasurer.  She was defeated by O.L. Erwin.  The same year Mrs. Pearl Owen ran on the Republican ticket against Jess Galloway for Register of Deeds in the general election.  She too was defeated.

Melvin Gillespie was elected as Register of Deeds in 1940.  When he was called for military service in July 1943 his wife, Eva was appointed to serve as Register while he was away.  She appears to be the first woman to actually serve in public office in Transylvania County. 

In 1944, Mrs. Gillespie announced that she would run for election as a Democrat.  She defeated her Republican opponent handily, 3033 to 2134.  She had the highest number of votes of any candidate for county office that year.  Mrs. Gillespie did not run for re-election in 1948.

Other women in elected positions in Transylvania County included Mrs. Marion McMahon as Clerk of Superior Court and Mrs. Elizabeth Mull as Tax Collector, who were both first elected in 1968. 

In Rosman, Edith Osborne served as mayor from 1967-1973.  She was initially appointed to finish out the term of Mayor Sisk after his death.  She ran unopposed for a two-year term in 1969 and was elected again in 1971.

Katherine Anderson was first elected to the Brevard Board of Aldermen in 1975 and as mayor of Brevard in 1986.  Jan Bryant was the first woman elected to the Board of Commissioners in 1976.  Trudi Walend, who was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 1996, was the first woman from Transylvania County to serve in NC House of Representatives.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.