Shirley Clarke Franklin (born May 10, 1945) is an American politician, a member of the Democratic Party, and the current mayor of Atlanta, Georgia since January 7, 2002. The 58th mayor of Atlanta, she was the first female to hold the post and became the first black woman to be elected mayor of any major southern city. Franklin is the fourth black mayor of Atlanta, the latest in a line of African-American mayors that stretches back to 1973. This work is copyrighted. ... May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Democratic Party, founded in 1792, is the longest-standing political party in the world (unless one considers the British Conservative Party to be an extension of the much older Tories). ... This article is about the state capital of Georgia. ... January 7 is the seventh day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2002 (MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This is the list of mayors of Atlanta — former mayors of the city of Atlanta. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black), is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... Image of a woman on the Pioneer plaque sent to outer space. ... A mayor (from the Latin maÄ«or, meaning larger,greater) is the politician who serves as chief executive official of some types of municipalities. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ...

Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Franklin received a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Howard University, and earned her master of arts degree in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is a village located in Jefferson County, New York. ... State nickname: The Keystone State Official languages None Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Governor Ed Rendell (D) Senators Arlen Specter (R) Rick Santorum (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 33rd 119,283 km² 2. ... Social interactions of people and their consequences are the subject of sociology studies. ... Howard University is a historically black university in Washington, D.C. It was established by a congressional charter in 1867, and much of its early funding came from the Freedmens Bureau. ... The University of Pennsylvania (Penn is the nickname used by the university itself; UPenn is also common) is a private, nonsectarian, research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ...

Her election as mayor was her first ever run for public office, but she had previously served as the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for Mayor Maynard Jackson and was subsequently named Chief Administrative Officer and City Manager for Mayor Andrew Young. Franklin succeeded Bill Campbell after winning the 2001 city-wide election with 50% of the vote, defeating several candidates including Democrat Rob Pitts who received 33%. Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr. ... Andrew Young in 1977 Andrew Jackson Young, Jr. ... Bill Campbell NIGGER!!!!!! was the mayor of Atlanta, Georgia from 1994 to 2002. ...

In 2005, Franklin was named one of the five best big-city American mayors by TIME Magazine (Press Release). On July 4th, she also ran in Atlanta's Peachtree Road Race for the third time. In October 2005, Franklin was included in the U.S. News & World Report Best Leaders of 2005 issue (Shirley Franklin: The Pipe Dreamer). 2005 (MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... (Clockwise from upper left) Time magazine covers from May 7, 1945; July 25, 1969; December 31, 1999; September 14, 2001; and April 21, 2003. ... July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 180 days remaining. ... The Peachtree Road Race is the worlds largest 10 km race with 55,000 participants annually. ... U.S. News & World Report is a weekly newsmagazine. ...

An overwhelmingly popular mayor, despite the failure to rebuild one of the most decrepit water and sewer systems of any large U.S. city, Shirley Franklin has nontheless received criticism over her sweeping pro-business policies, which have resulted in increased property values and higher real estate taxes.This has angered some segments of the city's populace who claim these policies are pushing the poor out of Atlanta.

But with solid popular support and strong backing from the business sector, Shirley Franklin was easily reelected Atlanta Mayor on November 8, 2005, garnering more than 90% of the vote.

Her incredible popularity has led to increased speculation that Ms. Franklin may well be a viable contender for a future Georgia governor's race, although her popularity outside of Atlanta is questionable.

She recently backed a new ad campaign for the city, called "The Atl", with a song penned by Atlanta hip-hop producer Dallas Austin. The over $200 million dollar campaign, made to coincide with the opening of the new Georgia Aquarium, had garnered much critisism for the cost, which includes a new logo, banners, and TV ads, and the hip-hop style song that has not been well recieved, even by local fans of the music.

External links

• Atlanta mayor's office
• Campaign website