It was the fall of 1961, and the election campaign was underway. You see a woman wearing a white hat walking around the neighborhood talking to the residents. Her mannerisms made her stand out from the crowd, and her appearance was unforgettable. Her bright smile is full of enthusiasm, and her eyes sparkle with a vision for the future. Her presence is one of compassion and persistence. She believes personal contact with the people of Cleveland is the best way to develop strong, trustworthy relationships during political campaigns. This charming woman is Albina Rose Cermak, who grew up in the city's West End, the daughter of a Republican father and a feminist mother. The house overlooks the downtown skyline and beautiful Lake Erie.

From Edgewater Park on Cliff Road near her home, Albina Cermak can see the skyline of the city she hopes to govern. Cermak was the first woman to run for mayor of Cleveland. Before 1961, most other women were mayors of small American towns, but Albina was the first woman to run for mayor in a major American city since Seattle in the 1920s, and throughout the campaign, Selmak often Wearing a white hat, which became one of her trademarks. Her opponent is Mayor Anthony Silebeze, who has been in office since 1953. Cermak believed Mayor Hilebeze was unfit for his position. Her campaign argued his office caused significant damage to the city's economy. Cermak ran as a Republican in a largely Democratic city. In many ways, she had no chance of winning the '61 election, despite her progressive ideas during the campaign.

The aftermath of World War II posed greater challenges as an "urban crisis" surrounded the once-thriving industrial city. Unfortunately, Cleveland's political and business leaders have failed to improve the city's image. Cermak believes City Hall is unreliable and fails to meet the needs of Clevelanders. She promised that this would change if elected, appointing responsible individuals. Her two most important ideas for improving Cleveland were to restore industry and improve ghetto areas with better code enforcement. Another focus of hers is taking action on air and lake pollution and advocating for a more reliable transportation system throughout the Greater Cleveland area.

While her idea was a great blueprint for improving Cleveland, it wasn't enough to win an election. Antoni Silebedze dominated the 1961 elections. Several factors help explain why Albina Cermak did not win the '61 election. Many of her ideas were ahead of their time. She was also campaigning at a time when very few women had strong political positions. The media also influenced how people viewed her. Some local newspapers promoted her campaign, while one editorial found her campaign laughable. Although she would never become mayor, her actions during the campaign were progressive and memorable.

Albina Cermak's 1961 mayoral campaign demonstrated her love and dedication to the city. She would continue to run for political office and participate in many committees until her death in 1978. Her mayoral bid may not have been a success, but it definitely wasn't a failure. Cermak paved the way for Cleveland women in the professional and political spheres. Nearly forty years later, Jane Campbell not only ran for mayor of Cleveland, she won the election. Women like Albina Rose Cermak have shown courage in breaking down barriers that prevent women from pursuing careers in politics and careers