As we celebrate National Woman’s Month, we thought it fitting to introduce some of you to a pretty remarkable woman, Mary Lou Richardson. Who is she? Well let me share…
Mary Louise Porter, was born on Dec. 29th, 1917 in Council Grove Kansas, to Alfred and Emma Porter. Mary Lou, as she was frequently called, married Ralph M. Richardson in 1939, in Jackson Missouri. Around 1948 Ralph was offered a job at UCLA as a Speech Instructor. The Richardson’s moved to California in with their eldest son Riley. She had 3 more children born in California, Randy, Roxanne, & Eric. Her husband Ralph became a longtime member of the Los Angeles Unified School Board – 3 terms and the Los Angeles Community College District (1973-1981). Mary Lou while raising her children and the Richardson’ now living in Culver city, Mary Lou decided she would run for our city council. In 1956 Mary Lou, became our first elected woman to serve on our City Council from 1956-1960. She would become the first Female Mayor of Culver City to serve our community in 1958 – 1959.
After her time on our council Mary Lou continued her work here in Culver City. She was a Math Specialist with our Culver City School System from 1965 until her retirement in 1978. Mary Lou & Ralph moved to Laguna Hills, where she passed away at home on October 9th, 1989. Thank you, Mary Louise Porter Richardson, you opened a door. We have had 5 amazing ladies follow in your footsteps. With more on the horizon, I am sure!
