Mayor of Pittsburgh. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as the 56th Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1988 until 1994. She held the distinction of being the first female to hold that post, in addition to the first person of Jewish descent.
Born to Romanian immigrants, her father, a salesman, died when Sophie was three years old; her mother made a living as a factory worker rolling cigars. After marrying at the age of 21 and giving birth to a daughter, Sophie fulfilled her interest in the political arena as a volunteer for the Democratic Party during the late 1930s. She went on to hold several positions including Assistant Chief Clerk with the State Court of Common Pleas in Pittsburgh. In 1976, she was elected to Pittsburgh's City Council and rose to the rank of President.
Following the death of Mayor Richard Caliguiri, she became interim Mayor. In spite of not receiving the endorsement from either her party or any other major source, she was surprisingly elected to her own term as Mayor. During her term as Mayor, she became known for her honest and outspoken commentary. When she took office, she inherited a troubled city with financial problems and to combat this she fought to privatize several city attractions including the zoo. Additionally, she initiated the idea of construction for a new ballpark for the Pittsburgh Pirates. (PNC Park).
Mayor of Pittsburgh. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as the 56th Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1988 until 1994. She held the distinction of being the first female to hold that post, in addition to the first person of Jewish descent.
Born to Romanian immigrants, her father, a salesman, died when Sophie was three years old; her mother made a living as a factory worker rolling cigars. After marrying at the age of 21 and giving birth to a daughter, Sophie fulfilled her interest in the political arena as a volunteer for the Democratic Party during the late 1930s. She went on to hold several positions including Assistant Chief Clerk with the State Court of Common Pleas in Pittsburgh. In 1976, she was elected to Pittsburgh's City Council and rose to the rank of President.
Following the death of Mayor Richard Caliguiri, she became interim Mayor. In spite of not receiving the endorsement from either her party or any other major source, she was surprisingly elected to her own term as Mayor. During her term as Mayor, she became known for her honest and outspoken commentary. When she took office, she inherited a troubled city with financial problems and to combat this she fought to privatize several city attractions including the zoo. Additionally, she initiated the idea of construction for a new ballpark for the Pittsburgh Pirates. (PNC Park).
Bio by: C.S.
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THE HONORABLE
SOPHIE MASLOFF
LOVING WIFE, MOTHER
GRANDMOTHER AND
GREAT-GRANDMOTHER
FIRST WOMAN MAYOR OF PITTSBURGH
Family Members
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