Dorothy Nichols Dolbey Papers

Dorothy Nichols Dolbey, Cincinnati's first female mayor, was a Cincinnati native and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati. She received a master's degree for Columbia's Teacher's College. She was first elected to Cincinnati City Council in 1953 on the Charter ticket and was elected by her colleagues be Vice Mayor in December of 1955. Upon the death of Mayor Edward Waldvogel, Dolbey served as acting mayor for eight months in 1954. Dolbey continued to serve on Cincinnati's City Council as a member of the Charter Party until 1961. Mrs. Dolbey was also highly active in civic and religious organizations including the Better Housing League, the Women's City Club, and the YWCA. She served as president of both the Cincinnati Council of Church Women United and the National Church Women United. Dolbey was married to James M. Dolbey and had two children, James Morton Dolbey, Jr. and Elizabeth Dolbey Rule. Dolbey died in 1991.

Sources: "Dorothy Dolbey," Biographical File, University of Cincinnati Archives and Rare Books Library.; "Dorothy Dolbey, 82, City Leader," Cincinnati Post, 14 February 1991, Sec. A, p. 9.; Miller, Martha "Dorothy Dolbey, civic leader" Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 February 1991, Sec. D, p. 4.