Preston Hollow’s Adlene Harrison made history when she became acting mayor in 1976.

Harrison was the first woman to hold the position in Dallas and the first Jewish woman to serve as mayor in any major American city.

“Hard working with a great malarkey detector, she should run for governor,” Texas Monthly’s Richard West wrote that year.

Harrison, an ardent environmental activist, had a lengthy career in local politics. In 1963, she was the only woman serving on the city’s planning commission. She also served as city councilwoman and the first chair of  Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART).

The Legacy Senior Communities recently honored Harrison with the Carmen Miller Michael Award for her dedication to others.

Hear Harrison speak about her life in this oral history that SMU’s Hunt Institute recorded.