FB Star Looks At New Make-up Of City Council--

Missouri City women make history

By Barbara Fulenwider
History was made in Missouri City when District C Council Member Barbara Gibson was sworn into office in May and joined District A Council Member Eunice Reiter. They made history because it was the first time two women had served on city council simultaneously.

With the votes of the runoff canvassed on June 25, District B Council Member Cynthia Gary was sworn into office at Missouri City’s July 2 council meeting and more history was made. Gary is the first black woman to serve on council and now there are three women serving at the same time. When Reiter was first elected to office 13 years ago she became the third woman to ever serve. The first woman elected to council was Carol Eguia who served from 1978 to 1981.

The second was Maris Reynolds, who was in elected in 1985 and held office until 1991. . .

. . .On July 2 a beaming Gary, who ran against an incumbent and soundly defeated

him in the runoff, was sworn in before a room of supporters who stood and clapped well after she had raised her right hand and taken her oath of office. After the oath was administered by Mayor Allen Owen, he said gesturing toward her seat on the dais, “All right council member, take your seat,” and there was more long and loud applause as she did.

Gary is a southwest Houston native who has lived in Missouri City for 25 years. She received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in sociology at Prairie View A&M. She is currently working toward on a doctorate at Texas A&M. She and her husband of 25 years have three sons and work as real estate investors. (click the title link above for the full story)

MCC/CRD comment:

A more different group of elected officials couldn't be more possible. You have two Owen backed council members and one reform council member. The real history is that for the first time a non "insider" was elected and will attempt to bring about more changes and is leading the reform spear-head on a council that has been characterized as out of touch and linked closely with Houston development special interests (that is what makes Reiter's comment so interesting and somewhat misleading IMO).

Stay informed and keep in touch (and keep an eye on this council)!