Oct 17, 1989: Jan Reimer elected Edmonton's first female mayor

In October 1989, Jan Reimer became the first woman ever elected mayor of Edmonton in a landslide victory where she wonmore than half the votes.

Reimer, along with six female aldermen, made up the majority of council, another Edmonton first.

The new mayor was asked about the dynamics of having more women than men on council.

"They have their perspective and women bring theirs and I don't know if you can really get into this 'us and them' business," Reimer said.

But one newly elected council member was happy to address the issue.

"You gentleman are going to be looking to see what the women are going to do with this city," Catherine Chichak said.

The outcome of the 1989 Edmonton election has not been repeated since. The current council has only one female member, Coun. Bev Esslinger.

CBC's Holly Doan reported on the outcome of the 1989 election in her video from the day after Jan Reimer was elected Edmonton's first female mayor.