Three of Eagle Point’s mayors, all women, will talk about their experiences in the job in the next Love Local History spring speaker series event on Saturday, May 14 at 2 p.m. at the Ashpole Community Center, 17 South Buchanan in Eagle Point. The event is free, open to all who love history and reservations are not required.

On the panel will be Mayor Ruth Jenks, who was elected in 2018 and is currently mayor of Eagle Point. Mayor Jenks will be joined by two earlier mayors who were elected in the 1980s, Donna Butchino and Laree Linder. The May Love Local History event will be a unique opportunity to understand the political landscape of the 1980s from a woman’s point of view and contrast it with that of 2020.

The May Love Local History event will be a singular experience. You’ll hear from women who made political history here in the Rogue Valley at a time when there were few women in city and county government and to hear from our sitting mayor about what it’s like to lead an energetic and thriving community. Find out what motivated these women to seek public office, what their challenges were, what they are most proud of in their terms of service and the many ways that Eagle Point has changed during their tenures.

Eagle Point had a unique political history in the 1980s, when four women served consecutive terms as mayors of the city. The first elected was Donna Butchino in 1982, followed by Stephanie Houscholder in 1984. Eagle Point librarian, Rose Draper filled out Householder’s term and in 1986, Laree Linder was elected and served two terms, completing her service in 1990. Eagle Point was growing at a furious pace during these years and the women faced formidable challenges. Similarly, Mayor Ruth Jenks guides a community of about 10,000 folks in a city that has significant infrastructure and economic requirements.

The Mayors’ panel is the third event in the Love Local History spring speaker series. The series is made possible in part by an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon with the support of Southern Oregon University and the Guardians of the Eagle Point Museum. For more information contact Maureen Battistella, Eagle Point Museum volunteer, at mbattistellaor@gmail.com or 541-552-0743.