Note Type
Historical NoteNote
Virginia Shuman Young 1917-1994
Among the many accomplishments of Virginia Young, she is best known as the first woman Mayor of
Fort Lauderdale. She was a cultural and civic leader dedicated to the City of Fort Lauderdale, where she
lived for most of her life. While serving in many offices at the state and local level for the League of Women Voters, Virginia
became quite interested in government. She lobbied in Tallahassee for women to participate on juries
and for a new state Constitution to eliminate discriminatory terms about women. She also helped write
part of Fort Lauderdale’s City Charter. From the League she moved to the Broward County School Board
of Trustees, and ran for School Board member. Virginia completed two successful terms, serving twice
as Board Chairman in 1963 and 1965. She was the second woman to hold office as President of the
State Association.
Civic involvement was also one of Virginia Young’s passions. Her community involvement included Sun
Dial, Easter Seals, CHORD, Boy and Girl Scouts, the United Way, and The Opportunity Center. She was
also a member of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, the Chamber of Commerce, the Soroptimist
Club, and the Fort Lauderdale Women’s Club where she was president for two years.
Virginia Young received numerous awards, but one of the most prestigious was the Woman of the Year
Award from the American Business Woman’s Association. She also received a listing in Who’s Who in
American Women, Who’s Who in South Florida Lives, and the Sales and Marketing “Top Management”
Award. Virginia was also the first woman Director of a bank in Fort Lauderdale, the Landmark Bank.
Over a fourteen year span, she served as the city’s vice mayor, mayor, and mayor pro tempore. But
despite of all her various accomplishments and roles – as a mother of three, a grandmother of six, a
friend, Girl Scout troop leader, School Board member, and many more – she will be forever known as
Mayor Young.