Shirley Clarke Franklin (born May 10, 1945) is an American politician, a member of the Democratic Party who served as the 58th mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, from 2002 to 2010.

15 hours ago · The Atlanta City Council approved ordinances to rename Central Avenue and Westside Reservoir Park to honor former Mayor Shirley Franklin.

1 day ago · Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin will soon join the ranks of high-profile politicians who have parks and roadways named after them across the city. Atlanta City Council passed legislation ...

Shirley Clarke Franklin is known for being bold, authentic, intellectual, brave, and compassionate. Elected in 2001 as the first female Mayor of Atlanta and the first black female to lead a major urban city in the south. She was born on May 10, 1945, in Philadelphia, PA.

1 day ago · On Monday, the Atlanta City Council voted unanimously to rename Central Avenue, where Atlanta City Hall sits, and Westside Reservoir Park after former Mayor Shirley Franklin.

12 hours ago · The City of Atlanta is paying tribute to its first female mayor, Shirley Clarke Franklin, by renaming a major downtown road and a large park in her honor.

2 days ago · ATLANTA — The City of Atlanta is honoring Shirley Clarke Franklin, the first African-American woman to serve as mayor of the city, as Black History Month 2025 kicks off. On Monday, Feb. 3, the Atlanta City Council unanimously passed two ordinances to pay tribute to Franklin’s legacy. Central Avenue was renamed “Shirley Clarke Franklin Boulevard” (24-O-1617) and Westside Reservoir Park

1 day ago · Driving the news: On Monday, the Atlanta City Council approved the renaming of Westside Reservoir Park and Central Avenue in honor of former Mayor Shirley Franklin. Catch up quick: Franklin, who served from 2002 to 2010, was also the first Black woman to …

Franklin was a fiercely independent person who was to excel later in life as a leader in public arts, a chief administrative officer for a legendary civil rights, political and spiritual leader, and an Olympic Games executive.

Shirley Franklin was elected and served two terms as Mayor of Atlanta from 2002 to 2009. She was the first African-American woman to serve as Mayor of a major southern city, and under her leadership Atlanta experienced unprecedented growth.