Sylvia Kerckhoff

Sylvia Kerckhoff (born June 14, 1928) is an American politician who served as the mayor of Durham, North Carolina, from 1993 to 1997.

Early life and education Kerckhoff was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1928. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1950 with a degree in psychology and later went to Duke University, from which she graduated in 1960 with a Master of Arts in history and education.

Career Kerckhoff became Durham's first female mayor after defeating incumbent Harry Rodenhizer in the 1993 Durham mayoral election. She was reelected the 1995 Durham mayoral election.