Uxbridge's women mayors celebrated

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Nellie Kydd, centre seated, was the first female mayor of Uxbridge. Photo taken from “Uxbridge: The Good Old Days” by J. Peter Hvidsten

Only about a dozen people showed up at the library last week to celebrate the achievements of Uxbridge's two female mayors: Nellie Kydd and Gerri Lynn O'Connor.

Presented to mark International Women's Day, the evening began with presenter Julia Saccucci-Zolis, assistant curator at the Uxbridge Historical Centre, giving a history of women's suffrage in Canada. But the emphasis was on Kydd and O'Connor, who were described as "trailblazers" and "examples of progressive leadership."

Kydd, for whom Nelkydd Lane is named, served as Uxbridge's first female mayor from 1963 to 1964, after first being elected as a councillor. At that time, council was elected for a one-year term and Kydd withdrew from the 1964 election. Previous to Kydd, the only women involved in local politics was A. D. Williams, who was a town clerk in 1899, and Mabel Crosby, wife of Lt. Col. Sam Sharpe, who served on the local council in 1920.

Before becoming mayor, Kydd served as secretary-treasurer of the Uxbridge and area recreation association, was a member of Chalmers Presbyterian Church and the Uxbridge Seniors Club.

Julia Saccucci-Zolis (left), of the Uxbridge Historical Centre, hosted guest of honour Gerri Lynn O’Connor during a special evening celebrating Uxbridge’s only two female mayors. O’Connor was mayor of the town for 29 years. Photo by John Cavers

Twenty-one years later, O'Connor was elected to council as the councillor for Ward Five. In 1983, she became regional councillor and two years later was acclaimed as mayor, becoming the first female head of council in Durham Region. She served as mayor for 29 years, during which time she also served on various conservation boards, and, for 20 years, she served as chair of planning for the Region.

O'Connor said it had been "an honour to serve my community." She said her office door was always open and no one needed an appointment to talk to her.

She said she left the mayor's office for four years in 2006 following the birth of her first granddaughter, but realized how passionate she was about local government and returned to office in 2010. She wound up her career as interim chair of Durham Region in 2018.

"It was hard work with a lot of hurdles," she said of her time in politics.

She admitted there had been times when she was frustrated, but added: "I wouldn't let anyone see me cry."