Lelia Foley

Lelia Foley-Davis (born November 7, 1942), formerly known as Lelia Foley, is an American politician who served as mayor of Taft, Oklahoma. Elected in 1973, she has been described as the first African-American woman elected mayor in the United States. She went on to become a librarian at the county's courthouse, and worked to help residents of the town access affordable housing. Despite Foley being described as the first African-American woman elected mayor, The Washington Post reported in 2019 that Ellen Craig-Jones, a Black woman, was elected mayor of Urbancrest, Ohio in 1971. As mayor, she was credited with helping secure federal Department of Housing and Urban Development funding for affordable housing initiatives.

Legacy and recognition In June 2022, a portion of a street in Taft, Oklahoma was renamed Lelia Foley-Davis Avenue in her honor. Foley stated in 2018 that she wishes to Lelia Foley-Davis Foundation.