Politics & Government

Frances Hughes Glendening.

A 1969 graduate of Allegany High School, “Francie” went on to obtain her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Maryland at College Park, and her Law Degree from the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University. She has the distinction of being recognized three times as one of Maryland's "Top 100 Women" by the Daily Record, the leading Maryland business and legal journal.

CUMBERLAND — For many people, the phrase “I do” refers to a commitment from one person to another as both enter what they hope will be a lifelong partnership in marriage.
For Amanda Glass-Winner, the utterance of the phrase before Allegany County Circuit Court Clerk Dawne Lindsey equated to a different kind of promise. Glass-Winner, 34, was sworn in Thursday afternoon as the second female deputy in the history of the 218-year-old Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and the first in nearly four decades.

CUMBERLAND — Three office relocations, six county administrators and 10 boards of Allegany County commissioners, Carol Gaffney has outlasted them all.

On Thursday, Commissioners Jim Stakem, Bob Hutcheson and Dale Lewis recognized Gaffney for more than 38 years as a county government employee, including more than 36 years in her current role as county clerk. Her last day of work is today, a day after the last of more than 2,500 public meetings for which Gaffney has recorded minutes.

Frostburg City Councilwomen

The City of Frostburg was founded in 1812, and officially incorporated in 1870.

Margaret C. Jones is believed to be the first of five women to have served thus far on the Frostburg City Council. Councilwoman Jones served in this capacity from 1970 through 1980. The photograph displayed here is dated June 1, 1970 when Margaret Jones was serving as City Water Commissioner.

Susan Keller, who is depicted to the right of Jones, held office from 2002 through 2010.

Jane Avery Fiscus, M.D., 1934 - 2005

Dr. Jane Avery Fiscus was the first woman to serve as Allegany County Health Officer.

Born in Wilburton, Oklahoma, Dr. Fiscus received her undergraduate degree at Oklahoma State University in 1956 and graduated from the Baylor University College of Medicine with an M.D. in 1961. Her training and practice was in family medicine until 1977. It was in that year she accepted the position of Health Officer for the Allegany County Health Department, an office she held for twenty years, until 1997.

On August 1, 2006, the Judges of the Orphan's Court appointed Rebecca Drew as Register of Wills of Allegany County to fill out the term of Retiring Register of Wills, William Lashbaugh, Jr. She was elected to the post later that year. Prior to her appointment as Register of Wills Rebecca served as the Deputy Register of Wills, PC System Administrator, Auditor, Personnel Officer and Property Officer for the Allegany County Office of the Register of Wills. She is the first female in the history of Allegany County to hold this office. Drew ran unopposed in the elections of 2010 and 2014.

Cumberland City Clerks – Wolford, Clark, Woodring and Layton.

The City of Cumberland was officially chartered by an Act of the Maryland State Legislature on January 20, 1787.

Audrey C. Wolford is considered to be the first woman appointed as City Clerk for the City of Cumberland. Wolford served in this capacity from 1978 until her retirement in 2000. Wolford is depicted above from a May 1, 2000 Cumberland Times-News photo displaying one of the voting machines to be used in an upcoming election.

In 1956 the City of Cumberland hired its first “Police Women”. These six female officers were Margaret A. Buzzard, Hazel M. Himmler, Vera L. Twigg, Mabel Z. Green, and Bettie A. Williams, and Mildred A. Mattingly.

The photograph is of Mildred A. Mattingly.

Seven women have served on the City Council of Cumberland. These include Lucile Roeder (1950-1952, 1952-1954, 1958-1962, 1962-1966), Josephine Edwards (appointed 1958), Dellann Campbell (appointed 1986, elected 1988-1992), and Ursula Ann Franklin (1988-2000).

Mary Susan (Sue) Cerutti

Born in Frostburg and a graduate of Beall High School, Sue Cerutti would go on to become a leading Cumberland businesswoman, preservationist, and community activist. She was also an outstanding public servant.