First black woman mayor in Iowa installed

Jet, Jan 22, 1996

LaMetta Wynn made history when she was elected mayor of Clinton, IA. She is the first Black female mayor of the state, and Clinton's first Black mayor, but she doesn't think race had anything to do with her victory.

"I think I won because people were seeking a change," she told JET in a telephone interview from her home. "They wanted someone with leadership ability and the ability of bringing different groups together.

"I don't like to dwell on race, but I feel honored that the people of Clinton had enough faith in me to go out and vote. The fact that I'm African American is a plus for African Americans and a plus for Clinton."

Wynn, 62, was recently installed into office. She defeated four other candidates in the November election including incumbent Darrell Smith (JET, NOV. 27, 1995).

She told JET her priorities in office consist of bringing various groups who have different concerns together. She said it is important to her that everyone work together and not separately for the betterment of Clinton.

The mother of 10 children, Wynn has worked in the health care field for 40 years and will continue to work while fulfilling her duties as mayor. She has retired from the school board on which she served for 12 years, three as chairman.

Her daughter, Kathryn Wynn-Calvin, said she is very proud of her mother who raised her children to be "good people and instilled in us high moral standards. We have my mother and father to thank for showing us, through life examples, that one can attain all their goals."