Kathryn Goll Kirschbaum, 1953
B.A., Denison University
Vice President
First Federal Savings & Bank
Davenport, Iowa
Citation awarded June, 1984
Kathryn Kirschbaum has had a career of public service which has been distinguished by her sincere interest in the rights and welfare of others.
Following a period in which she did significant volunteer work, in 1968 she became the first woman elected to the Davenport, Iowa, city council. In 1971, she became the first female mayor of that city, at that time the second-largest U.S. city with a female mayor.
As mayor, Kathryn was instrumental in the modernization of the structure and function of an archaic governmental system. She also took specific action on a broad range of issues, including housing for the elderly and low-income persons.
Active in many organizations, she particularly cites board membership of the Advocates for Mental Health, a support group of parents and friends attached to the Mental Health Center, and the River Valley Foundation, which raises funds to assist chronically mentally ill persons.
She is a past chairman of the Marycrest College President’s Advisory Council. In 1978, that institution awarded her an honorary doctorate of humane letters “in recognition of her distinguished career in government and public service.” Since 1976, Kathryn has been the vice president and personnel manager of the First Federal Savings & Loan in Davenport.
