Fran Gibbs, Peekskill's First Woman Mayor

March marks Women's History Month where we celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of exceptional women. In Peekskill, it seems fitting to recognize Frances Gibbs, an outstanding woman and role model, who made history by becoming Peekskill's first woman mayor, serving three terms as mayor from January 1994 to December 1999.
 
Prior to her terms as mayor, she served eight years on the City Council. She was the second woman to serve: Paula Tronto Benett was the first woman elected to the council in 1983.
 
Gibbs did not come to politics early. The culmination of many events prepared Gibbs for the role of mayor.
 
 Ed Gibbs came home in the latter part of 1945, after the end of WWII.  He was hospitalized for three months after being seriously wounded in the Battle of the Bulge but rejoined his outfit before returning to the United States.  When Ed Gibbs came back, he dreamed of opening a day camp. He then attended New York University where Gibbs was also a student. 

After graduation, Gibbs worked for a Chinese film company based in Manhattan.  "It was there I learned basic accounting skills, among other things, which I put to good use when he and I opened a day camp," she said.   They opened the Mill Run, in Shrub Oak.  Shortly afterward they were married.
 
Subsequently, Gibbs earned a masters degree in education while her three children were young.  She started her teaching career in 1965, with a kindergarten class, in the Lakeland school district (Shrub Oak Elementary School) and then, at the Park Street School, in Peekskill.  In 1970, she became a reading specialist in the Peekskill Middle School.

 Gibbs credits her work with children as one of the avenues that eventually helped her govern effectively and understand working with individuals.
 
"Certainly both teaching and good governing require some of the same skills.  You need to recognize the problems and working with a team, develop an approach to resolve the issues and move forward," said Gibbs.
 
For many years, Ed Gibbs, together with his brother George, operated Gibbs Clothing Store, in downtown Peekskill (a business established in 1932 by his parents).  When needed, Gibbs also helped out.  Ed Gibbs first made the jump into politics, landing the role of District 1 County Legislator in 1974.  He encouraged his wife to run for Council in November 1984. 
 
When Vincent Vesce was Mayor, Gibbs was appointed Deputy Mayor and she was encouraged by her husband and former Mayor Richard E. Jackson, Jr. to hold the post of deputy mayor and then run for mayor after Vesce finished his term.  Mayor Gibbs was sworn in by her husband Ed Gibbs in 1994.
 
Gibbs, who said that Ed Gibbs and Richard Jackson were her role models in the political arena, said she hopes that she has served as a role model herself. “I hope that I was a role model to women, especially younger women,” Gibbs said.
 
She fondly remembered how her young granddaughter Rachel would help her campaign door-to-door.  Fran framed a picture that her grandchild made—under a female stick figure standing at a podium, a caption reads—"Go, Grandma, Go.  You can win."  The picture was prominently displayed in the Mayor's Office.
 
When asked what were the accomplishments of her administration, Gibbs responded:
 
“Every administration builds upon the strengths of the previous,” said Gibbs. “In its heyday, Peekskill was the retail center for the region. However, when malls were built, Peekskill needed to change some of its focus.  One of the accomplishments I am proudest of is the building up of the Artist District.  Also, the renovation of the Paramount brings thousands of people into Peekskill. Westchester Community College Art Workshop is the most successful satellite.  We created Peekskill's first Youth Board, continued housing and economic development and much more.  In particular my administration expanded our waterfront parks creating the new Charles Point Pier Park and working with Scenic Hudson to acquire additional land for the Peekskill Landing Project, which is currently being developed today." 
 
In her retirement, Gibbs is still very active in the community. She sits on the Industrial Development Agency Board for Peekskill and she remains active and interested in the Paramount Center for the Arts. 
 
Family is important and Gibbs keeps in touch with her 3 children, Stuart, Peter and Donald. She has 3 grandchildren, Brandon, Ellery and Rachel.
 
When asked her final thought about Peekskill, she said, “It's so important to be part of the community in which you live and to make a difference through service.
 
“Peekskill is a comfortable place in which to grow up and Peekskill residents have always had a strong sense of identity.”