LaVertha Gotier

LaVertha Gotier (October 20, 1935 – August 8, 2023) was an American politician who served as mayor of Worland, Wyoming from 2001 to 2004. She was the first African American elected as mayor in the state of Wyoming.

Early life and education LaVertha Gotier was born on October 20, 1935, in Texas. She moved with her husband who worked for Marathon Oil to Worland in 1977 where they were one of two Black families in the small community.

Political career In 2001, Gotier was elected mayor of Worland, a small city in Washakie County with a population of around 5,000 at the time. She served one term from 2001 to 2004. In 2002, she launched an annual community event intended to showcase Worland's diversity which ran for over two decades before concluding.

After leaving the mayoral office, Gotier ran for Washakie County commissioner in 2006 as a Democrat but was unsuccessful.

Death and legacy She died on August 8, 2023, in Denver, Colorado.