Members of the community paid tribute to the “Eleanor Roosevelt of Red Bank” as a sign was unveiled at Marine Park in honor of an early trailblazer for women in politics.
Family, friends and local officials gathered Nov. 14 to see the unveiling of the sign naming the Ambassador Katharine Elkus White Circle in honor of the first and only woman to hold the title of mayor of Red Bank.
Those in attendance included Mayor Pasquale Menna, who considered White a friend and mentor. Also on hand were Freeholder John Curley, Red Bank Councilwoman Cindy Burnham and state Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) of Red Bank, who acknowledged the role White played as one of the borough’s most accomplished and outspoken citizens.
“I did not know her — only of her reputation — and she was someone that laid the groundwork for women like myself to be able to run for office and serve in government and positions of power,” Beck said. “I think, without her example, there are many women who may never have thought that they were capable of doing those sorts of things.
“I’m not surprised that she’s from Red Bank, because Red Bank tends to have a lot of excellent leaders coming from it.”
White served as mayor from 1951 to 1956, and was appointed as a commissioner on the New Jersey Highway Authority in 1954. In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson appointed White as the U.S. ambassador to Denmark, a position she held until 1968. After her retirement, White remained active in organizations such as the United Negro College Fund and the NAACP.
Some members of White’s family traveled from as far as Virginia to attend the event.
“When she was in politics, she wasn’t in it for herself,” said Kathy Mulvey, a granddaughter. “I think she was in it just to make the world a better place.”
Tom Cohen, a grandson, said White’s iron-willed personality was passed down through her family.
“My mom was very strong, my grandmother was very strong,” Cohen said. “And now I have two daughters who are very strong-willed, and it’s not surprising, and I’m very proud of the fact that they have that strong will, strong mind — and they get it from Katharine.”
Menna, who came to know White personally during the years he attended law school, shared his favorite memories of White, recounting occasions when she stood up to men who tried to undermine her capabilities as a female politician.
Curley described her as someone who reached the pinnacle of being a citizen of Red Bank.
“She was literally our Eleanor Roosevelt, because she was a trailblazer like no one else,” Curley said.