Sarah Williamson celebrates her election as the first female mayor of Boys Town, 1991. Photo: John A. Melingagio / Boys Town USA

Boys Town

Father Flanagan's Boys' Home, the original Boys Town, is a leader in the treatment and care of "at-risk" boys and girls and in the research and development of programs to meet the changing needs of the children and their families. A non-profit, non-sectarian organization, in 1998 it directly cared for more than 33,000 children, directly assisted more than 244,000 children and families, and indirectly assisted more than 1.4 million children and families through outreach and training programs. A distinctive feature of Boys Town is its tradition of self-government, reflective of the democratic ideals of its founder. Residents of Boy Town have elected their own mayor and other officials since 1926. The first female mayor was elected in 1991, 12 years after the first girls arrived. Boys Town is documented in text, 15 photographs, and a videotape of two election campaigns.

Originally submitted by: Lee Terry, Representative (2nd District).

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