Women with the gavel in Newport Beach

Lolita Harper

The saying goes that behind every strong man there is a strong woman.

But what about the women behind the strong city of Newport Beach?

In nearly 100 years of incorporation, only six women have been at the

helm, but Dora Hill, Doreen Marshall, Jackie Heather, Evelyn Hart,

Ruth Ellen Plumber and Jan Debay have left undeniable marks.

The Pilot caught up with former mayor Hart about the challenges of

leading such a beautiful and affluent community, from a woman’s

perspective.

“You know, I think women bring a certain perspective to the City

Council,” Hart said. “The thing that I was able to bring, at least in

my opinion, was a concentration on open space and parks -- I was very

regionally involved. I saw that Newport Beach was in a position of

being the receiver of potential negative impacts from the rest of the

county.”

Call it a woman’s nurturing instinct, call it common sense, but

Hart was not about to let anything bad happen to the city she called

home. Not without a fight anyway.

She served at a time when John Wayne Airport negotiations were

getting started and became an integral part of that. She also kept a

close watch over the dredging of the Upper Newport Bay.

“Not that it matters whether you are a man or a woman on the

council,” Hart said, “but I think women bring a certain sensitivity

and ability to coordinate well with other cities.”

Serving as mayor also prompted moves to other forms of leadership

as many of the women went on to serve on various boards and

committees. Marshall served on the state agricultural board and one

might recognize Debay’s name from her current position on the Orange

County Water Board. Hart also took her government experience with her

to the board of behavioral science, under former Gov. Pete Wilson.

“It is definitely helpful training to have worked with the city

folk,” Hart said.

It also helps to know all the players when you happen to be on the

ground floor of one of the most influential grass-roots organizations

in the city -- Greenlight. With the Koll’s development settled and

the 2002 election passed, Hart said she is now “just playing around,

having fun, doing some nonprofit work.” She is having fun enjoying

her retirement and has more time for boating and reading.

Her women in leadership counterparts are still viable members of

their communities also, or were until their passing. Hall has passed

away; Heather moved to Scottsdale, Ariz.; Plumber is now in Costa

Mesa; and Marshall, Hart and Debay are still in town.

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