The Revere City Council honored three female trailblazers in its chambers Monday, unveiling the official memorial portraits of former Councillors Margaret “Peggy” O’Hara, Elvira “Vera” Curcio, and Catherine “Cathy” Penn.
O’Hara was the first woman to serve on the city council when she was appointed to an at-large seat in 1973 to replace Edward O’Hara. Curcio was the Ward 3 Councillor from 1976–1981 and was the first woman elected to serve as a ward councillor. Penn served from 1980–1986 and was the first woman elected to serve Ward 2, and the first woman council president in 1983.
“Tonight is truly a special and historic moment for the Revere City Council, as we unveil these portraits, we honor three remarkable women,” said Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya.
The three councillors broke barriers and helped pave the way for every woman who followed them onto the city council, Guarino-Sawaya said.
“In a time when very few women held elected office, (O’Hara) stepped forward, took her place in this chamber, and opened the door that had never been opened before,” Guarino-Sawaya said. “She not only broke a barrier, but also helped establish the presence of women in local government in Revere.”
Curcio continued that progress when she was the first woman elected to represent Ward 3, she added.
“She was a strong voice for her neighborhood, advocating for the needs of her constituents and ensuring that Ward 3 residents were heard in every city decision,” said Guarino-Sawaya. “Her election demonstrated that women not only belonged at this table, but could also effectively represent and lead their community.”
As the first woman council president, Guarino-Sawaya said that Penn helped guide the work of the council and set an example of what women could achieve in positions of authority in city government.
“Tonight is about much more than hanging three portraits on a wall,” said Guarino-Sawaya. “For many years, when we looked around these council chambers, we saw the faces of men who helped shape Revere’s history. But Margaret, Elvira, and Catherine were part of that history, too.
“They served in this chamber, represented the people of Revere, and helped shape the city.”
