Joyce: Everett’s First Female Mayor
The article originally published April 16, 2018.
Current mayor Cassie Franklin is the first popularly-elected female mayor of Everett, part of a wave of 38 women mayors that have recently been voted into office across the state of Washington.
Preceding her in the role, however, was the late Joyce Ebert, who served as interim mayor of Everett from just before Halloween to New Years Eve in 1977.
Ebert doesn't appear prominently in municipal history. Indeed, unless you're a big fan of the civic annals of this micropolis you probably haven't heard of her at all. There's no Ebert Park or Ebert Bridge, no Ebert mural. But her example as an active citizen, both in and out of office, is worth considering.
Here’s a bit about her life.
THE PIONEER
She was born as Joyce McGladrey, the second to last of eight children. Her parents were Snohomish County pioneers who settled in Stanwood. This pioneer spirit, a prerequisite of living in a forested frontier at the turn of the century, seemed to inform Ebert’s personality for life. From everything I’ve read, Ebert was a passionate person from the beginning. In all of her photos she looks resolute, like she’s about to take care of business.
Joyce graduated from West Stanwood High School in 1940, and enlisted as a naval chauffeur from 1941 to 1945.
After the WWII she moved to Everett and married Dr. Bill Ebert. They had four children together and Joyce became a real estate broker while Bill practiced medicine in Everett.
Joyce delved into philanthropic work. She devoted her high energy to the Snohomish County Historical Society, Immaculate Conception parish, the Everett Assistance League, and the Everett Golf and Country Club.
Raising four children is no small task. Ebert the real estate broker did this while also promoting the development of the city's business district in the heyday of retail in Everett (soon stores were to flee downtown for the mall).
Ebert's reputation in the community gave her the foothold to run for city council in 1973. She was elected and became the first woman to serve on the city council. She served in that position for two years before being selected by the council to serve as interim mayor when Robert C. Anderson stepped down due to ailing health.
She served as mayor for a few months and retired from public office to pursue her business interests. Seems like a classy move.
THE FIRST WOMAN
I have a pamphlet on my desk filled with paintings of Everett Mayors by the late local artist Bernie Webber. From 1983 (Mayor Thomas Dwyer) to 2002 (the pamphlet's publication) and beyond, the mayoralty is an unbroken line of men.*
The exception in the pamphlet is Ms. Ebert, looking in her portrait perfectly coiffed with a resolute glint in her eye.
Like another demographic pioneer in Everett politics, Carl Gipson, it’s hard not to find the element of the underdog an endearing part of Ebert’s persona.
Though she only served as mayor for a few months, she remained active in social causes after her retirement from public office.
Ebert died in 2003. Her portrait now hangs in the mayor’s office in downtown Everett.
THE UNDERDOG
Everett is a city of underdogs. It has always been since the beginning, when Seattle to the south was chosen as the terminus for the Transcontinental railroad. It’s been a city of tough and courageous people who walk miles to work in mills, who put airplanes into the sky.
“Joyce Ebert represents the moxy that’s needed to thrive in this place. She had the chutzpah to raise four kids, pursue a career, and break the glass ceiling, all in one go.”
Joyce Ebert represents the moxy that’s needed to thrive in this place. She had the chutzpah to raise four kids, pursue a career, and break the glass ceiling, all in one go. This is the Everett fighting spirit.
Curiously, the most good she did for the city seems to have not come through her public office, but her work with charitable organizations before and after her public role.
In her roles as businesswoman, councilwoman, mayor, mother and citizen, Ebert wanted to better the community around her.
That's an example we can all look to.
LIKE STORIES ABOUT OTHER EVERETT HEROES? READ ABOUT:
CARL GIPSON, FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN COUNCILMAN
WILDCAT CARTER, BOXER FROM RIVERSIDE
CAROL KAYE, FEMALE MUSICIAN
*Curiously, we have two "missing" mayoral portraits. The likenesses of James O. Whitemarsh (1899-1990) and James H. Mitchell (1906-1907) have never been found so these mayors have never been depicted in official city paintings. If you have any leads on this history mystery (for some reason), please contact the city at (425) 257-8687.
Richard Porter writes for Live in Everett.
