No: 64
Date: 4/1/1996
Name: Betty Abbott
In 1965, Betty Abbott opened doors for other women when she became the first woman ever elected to the Omaha City Council, serving three terms. Later Abbott would make an unsuccessful run for mayor of Omaha in 1977, beaten by write-in candidate Al Veys. She was appointed by the White House to serve on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. In 1961, she joined the American Zoological Society board. She was chairman of the Nebraska Land Foundation board, and served on the Nebraska Humane Society board. Her honor as a Face was a natural for the woman whose sultry singing still receives a standing ovation at Press Club Shows as shown in the Face drawing where she holds a microphone. In the audience are members of the City Council during her term, as well as former mayors Gene Leahy, Ed Zorinsky and Al Veys. In 1977, the Omaha Press Club Show devoted its show to her in "Betty Abbott, Betty Abbott," a takeoff on a then-popular television show, "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman." Abbott died in January 2006.  Back to Top