Jane Baker

Jane Elaine Baker (June 2, 1923 – July 1, 2011) was an American politician, community organizer and former cooking show host. Baker served on the city council of San Mateo, California for twenty years. She was appointed the Mayor of San Mateo on six occasions, becoming San Mateo's first female mayor.

Biography

Early life Baker was born in Ohio. Baker was credited as one of the bakers of cookies sent to a company of the 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles". San Mateo adopted Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 327 Infantry Regiment on March 4, 1968.

Political career Baker first became involved in politics and community activism during the early 1970s. She and her husband also became licensed pilots. The city's Parks and Recreation Director told the city council there was a policy prohibiting parks from being named after people, but would consider adding an interpretive center to the base of the trail at Sugarloaf and naming it after Baker. Other proposed uses included land restoration or interpretive panels at the summit, but the bequest was eventually earmarked towards the creation of additional hiking trails, removing fire breaks and restoring the land.