Women Making History

By Frances Neagley

On Tuesday, March 6, 2007, the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women, along with Mayor Newsom and the Board of Supervisors, presented the “Women Making History” awards in a ceremony at City Hall. The mayor chose one honoree, and eleven others from all over the City were recognized for their community activities in individual supervisorial districts.

Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi chose Gail Baugh to represent District 5. Gail, besides heading the HVNA Public Safety Committee, is president of the newly-formed Parent Teacher Association at John Muir Elementary School. Prior to her involvement with John Muir, Gail had been a long-time advocate for strengthening our local schools, and was very active in the school group which worked all last year to try to stop further school closures in District 5.

Honoree Gail Baugh with Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi at the Women Making History ceremony in the Board of Supervisor's chambers. Photo: Regina Dick-Endrizzi

There had not been a PTA at John Muir for fifty years, and the changes made by the hard working charter members give hope of positive change. Gail believes that public schools are vital to a healthy neighborhood and community and that a strong PTA will be critical to the success and well-being of the school. Besides Gail, Supervisor Mirkarimi noted the other charter executive board members (Michael Patton, Richard Johnson and Madeline Behrens-Brigham) in his comments, noting that they all formed the PTA to support the merger of John Swett and John Muir. They continue to dedicate their efforts to the improvement of the welfare of the children who live in the neighborhood.