EDITORIAL:

Much is being made these days of female leaders on the national stage like Hillary Rodham Clinton, who came a hair away from being the first woman in America to be at the top of a major party ticket, and Sarah Palin, who just became the second woman to be tabbed as a vice-presidential running mate.

But here in Newport-Mesa, strong female leaders have been part and parcel of the community’s makeup for decades.

Over the past two weeks, two of those female leaders have been lost — former Newport Beach Mayor Jackie Heather and longtime Newport Harbor Spanish teacher Margaret Turner.

Heather came on the political scene in 1971, taking a post on the planning commission. She was later elected to the Newport Beach City Council, serving from 1978 to 1986, the same year she was named Newport Beach Citizen of the Year.

Dredging the Back Bay, curbing noise and flights at John Wayne and managing development were just a few of Heather’s core issues.

Way before Palin or Clinton came on the scene, Heather was showing the good old boys how to run a city, even with kids in tow.

“One of her favorite quotes was ‘Either lead, follow or get the hell out of the way,’ ” John Heather said, describing his mother to our reporter. “That was the mantra she lived by.”

Heather died early last week at the age of 80.

Turner, on the other hand, wasn’t a politician. Instead, she left her mark by expanding the minds of high school students and giving them the gift of language.

“Margaret was an extraordinarily gifted teacher,” wrote Newport Harbor Principal Michael Vossen in an e-mail to parents announcing her death.

“She taught Spanish and was able to instill a love of learning in all her students through an inspiring style of teaching. She possessed unparalleled energy and was able to consistently motivate her students to high levels of success.”

Students often counted her among their favorite teachers.

Turner was 61 when she lost her battle with cancer.

As women are being called more and more to positions of leadership, even leading this great nation, we see that as a familiar role.

And with that, we salute these women who have left our lives better through their involvement or vocation.