History making women; Forrester first female in Fulton Mayor’s post

March is Women’s History Month, first designated through Presidential Proclamation as Women’s History Week in March of 1981. The commemoration to honor the contributions made by women in American History then expanded to include the entire month in 1987.

Beginning with this week’s edition and through March 31, The Current will recognize women who perhaps did not realize their mark now embedded in the history of our little communities.

We begin with the City of Fulton’s first female Mayor, initially selected to carry out the term of then Fulton Mayor Will H. Bondurant in 1992.

Elaine Forrester was next in line in the voter count for the election that secured Bondurant’s role, and after having made herself at home in the seat, she sought and won the next election, to become the first woman elected Mayor in the City of Fulton, in 1993.

She continued to serve until 2003, returned as a Commissioner in 2005 and now continues to serve as one of Fulton’s City Commissioners.
She served as Mayor during the visit of President Bill Clinton in 1996 and was instrumental in the construction of the area now known as Pontotoc Park, and the community center facility.

She and her husband, the late Nicky Forrester purchased Scott’s Floral Shoppe in 1990, which she continues to operate.

Look for our next local trend setter or trail blazer as we recognize our Women in History, in the March 17 edition of The Current.