• Originally published June 20, 2009 at 9:42 p.m., updated June 20, 2009 at 9:45 p.m.

• VICTORIA CITY COUNCILWOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED

  Bea Martin - Elected in 1963

  Janey Lack - Elected in 1978

  Jo Ann Martin - Elected in 1979

  Shirley Buckert - Elected in 1995

  Denise Rangel - ...

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VICTORIA CITY COUNCILWOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED

Bea Martin - Elected in 1963

Janey Lack - Elected in 1978

Jo Ann Martin - Elected in 1979

Shirley Buckert - Elected in 1995

Denise Rangel - Elected in 2009

By the Advocate Editorial Board

Denise Rangel's election will go down in the history books because she is the first Hispanic woman to sit on the Victoria City Council, according to Victoria historian Charles Spurlin. We applaud her victory and wish her success during her tenure on the council.

Rangel also is the fifth woman to become a city councilmember during Victoria's long history since it was founded in 1824.

Not many women have served on the city council, but there's a reason for that. In the 19th century, women were considered second-class citizens: According to History.com, "women were considered sub-sets of their husbands, and after marriage they did not have the right to own property, maintain their wages, or sign a contract, much less vote. It was expected that women be obedient wives, never to hold a thought or opinion independent of their husbands. It was considered improper for women to travel alone or speak in public."

Then in 1848, the Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, officially started the suffrage movement. But it wasn't until August 1920 that women enjoyed the passage of the 29th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That amendment simply stated that, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." During the '60s, an effort to pass an Equal Rights Amendment ensued. The Equal Rights amendment was approved by Congress in 1972 but never ratified.

So, Rangel assumes the District 1 position on the Victoria City Council as of the run-off election June 13. 2009 marks a year of progress for women and Hispanics. We must applaud Rangel and Jeff Lyon for running a good, clean race. Both candidates were exemplary in their campaigns.

Former councilwoman Janey Lack said, "Men and women are just as bright and just as able, but they do come with a different perspective."

Lack noted that there was not much compensation for the work that a city councilperson does. "It will not make you rich, but if you made things better, then you can say, 'I did that, and that was good.'"

She warned that serving on the city council means giving up much of one's personal life. The responsibility of a council member is demanding and can be draining.

Rangel said she learned much during her hard-fought campaign. She said she is happy that the election is over and that she can now concentrate on the tasks ahead.

Rangel will have her hands full. Hot issues for the city include streets, downtown renovation, economic development. Texas Zoo, public safety, holding taxes down, compensation for city employees, just to name a few.

We wish Rangel all the best, and we have confidence she will serve to be a great leader in our community.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.

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