Latting, Patience Sewell, 1918-2012

Patience Sewell Latting (August 27, 1918 – December 29, 2012) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, from 1971 to 1983. Latting was the first female Mayor of Oklahoma City and the first woman to head the government of an American city of more than 350,000 people.

Born Patience Francelia Sewell in Texhoma, Oklahoma, she graduated from Classen High School in Oklahoma City before earning a bachelor's degree with honors in mathematics from the University of Oklahoma in 1938 Latting obtained a master's degree in economics and statistics from Columbia University in New York City. She then worked as a researcher for Chase Manhattan Bank before returning to Oklahoma to marry. Latting became a member of both the Parent Teacher Association and the League of Women Voters. It was her membership in the League of Women Voters that led to her entry into the political realm in the early 1960s. In 1967 she won election to the Oklahoma City Council on a slate nominated by the Association for Responsible Government, a reform group. As the first woman on the council, she called for stricter housing and building codes and for more African American participation in government. Four years later, amidst concerns that entrenched city officials were abusing their power, she decided to run for mayor. Although she was a Democrat, she campaigned without party affiliation. In a difficult race, she defeated fellow council member Bill Bishop in a runoff and became Oklahoma City's first and only woman mayor and the first woman to head the government of an American city of more than 350,000 people. She was reelected in 1975 and 1979.

During her mayoral tenure from 1971 to 1983, Latting was instrumental in the adoption of a master development plan in 1977 as well as in the opening of the Neighborhood Development and Conservation Center and the attendant development of neighborhood associations to combat crime and poor zoning. A General Motors assembly plant located in Oklahoma City, and the Mercy and Baptist medical centers expanded in the northwest part of the city. During her terms, several new parks such as the Myriad Gardens were built, and downtown was redeveloped. She also contended with a police strike in the fall of 1975 and was involved in an investigation that led to the disclosure of fraud in the electrical inspection division. During her administration the National Municipal League presented the All-America City Award to Oklahoma City in 1978.

Following her departure from public life Latting continued to be involved in volunteer organizations. In 1995 she received the Constitution Award from Rogers State College for her dedication to public service and devotion to constitutional ideals. She was also in the inaugural group inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials in 2001. She continued to live in Oklahoma City. Patience Latting died there and was buried in the city's Rose Hill Burial Park.