By Harrison Power
While the Modesto area elected Esto Broughton to the State Assembly in 1918, the contributions of women to Modesto’s political landscape was revived and emboldened over fifty years later when Margaret “Peggy” Mensinger picked up the baton of female representation. A local icon and political giant in her own right, Mensinger did not shy away from an uphill battle, and was steadfast in her convictions and vision for a prosperous Modesto. Modesto’s first woman to serve on City Council and be elected to Mayor of Modesto, Mensinger established herself as a humble and dedicated public servant, and would set the example for future women leaders in the community for years to come.
The daughter of Dyas Power Boothe Sr. and Margaret Stewart Boothe, Mensinger was born Margaret Boothe on February 18, 1923 in Modesto. She went on to graduate from Stanford University, and after time running the family fruit-drying business and working at Stanford, Peggy returned to Modesto and married John L. Mensinger, of American Lumber Company, in 1952. With her education, experience in family business, and a growing family, Mensinger set her sights on getting active and more involved. Volunteering with the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and PTA evolved into a focus on civic affairs and the local government impacts on quality of life in Modesto. Mensinger, who had a desire to work on civil rights issues of the 1960’s, was appointed to serve on the Modesto Human Rights Committee, and also served on the City Charter Revision Committee.
Her local involvement and civic experience set the stage for her to launch a 1973 campaign for Modesto City Council – fairly uncharted territory for a woman in Modesto: Margaret Annear ran unsuccessfully in 1951 despite previously serving as County Superintendent of Schools, and Heidi Warner ran unsuccessfully in 1965 despite her being the first woman to serve on the Planning Commission. Peggy Mensinger’s campaign, coordinated by Randy Siefkin and Dorothy McGrath, brought attention to environmental issues, controlled urban growth, and support for Downtown business development. She won the election, becoming the first Modesto councilwoman, and was elected to the Modesto City Council again in 1977. Half way through her second term on the City Council, she campaigned in 1979 for another historic first: to become the first woman elected to serve as the Mayor of Modesto. Mensinger, who advocated for a mayoral campaign spending limit, ran against and defeated fellow councilmember Harry Kullijian, becoming Mayor of Modesto in March 1979!
Peggy Mensinger and her commitment to Modesto’s urban development and open spaces can be celebrated by walkers, runners, and bicyclists alike with a visit to the Peggy Mensinger Trail through Dry Creek Regional Park, which was completed and dedicated just weeks after her passing in 2002.
