Eastside in Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hattie M. Phelan
First African-American City Councilwoman
— (b. July 1924, d. March 1981) —
Hattie M. Phelan was the first African-American woman elected to the Wilmington City Council. She was appointed to council in 1967 to fill a mid-term vacancy and was subsequently re-elected for two more terms.
Councilwoman Phelan was employed for over 16 years in the New Castle County Prothonotary Office. She served as an alternate at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where she was nominated by U.S. Senator Hale Boggs of Louisiana to serve on a subcommittee of the Platform Committee.
In 1993, funds were raised to establish the Hattie M. Phelan Memorial Garden at E. 10th and N. Pine Streets on the property she owned. A mural faces the garden with images of Hattie Phelan, Dutch Burton and many trailblazers of Wilmington's Eastside. In 1993 the Burton/Phalan Memorial Scholarship was establish to honor the 2 trailblazers that served as council members for the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Erected 2017 by City of Wilmington, Delaware.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1967.
Location. 39° 44.588′ N, 75° 32.503′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hattie M. Phelan Community Dream Garden (here, next to this marker); Clifford Brown (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Wilmington (approx. 0.2 miles away); G.T. and Clara Gilbert (approx. 0.2 miles away); Louis Lorenzo Redding, Esq. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Knotty Pine Restaurant (approx. 0.2 miles away); Walnut Street YMCA (approx. 0.2 miles away); Scott AME Zion Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 46 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
