CELEBRATING OUR DEMOCRATIC WOMEN

Mayor Lois McIver Winstead

In 1993, Lois Winstead became the first female mayor of the City of Roxboro. Mrs. Winstead is also a former member of the Person County Board of Education, and a former Person County Democratic Party Chairperson.

A Legacy of Service

First Female Mayor of Roxboro 1993-2003
Person County Board of Education 1974-1982
President, North Carolina League of Municipalities 1996-1998
Order of the Long Leaf Pine
President, Women in Municipal Government
National League of Cities, Public Safety and Crime Prevention Steering Committee
Women's Foundation of North Carolina, Inc., Board of Directors
Person County Economic Development Corporation
Roxboro Area Chamber of Commerce
Kerr-Tar Council of Governments
Louisburg College, Board of Trustees
City of Roxboro, Board of Adjustments
Person/Caswell Lake Authority
Roxboro Uptown Development Corporation
North Carolina Department of NRCD
Person County Democratic Party Chairperson
NC Democrats State Executive Committee
National Democratic Convention Delegate 1972, 1980, 1988
Roxboro Research Club
Roxboro Jaycees Outstanding Senior Citizen
Roxboro Women's Club
Person County Historical Society
North Carolina Symphony and Art Museum
Person County United Way
Person County Arts Council

Lois was elected as a delegate to the National Democratic Convention on three separate occasions.

Front Porch Diplomacy

During her time as mayor, Mrs. Winstead became known for inviting constituents to her front porch to "get a cup of coffee" and talk about the issues. "The front porch is a good place to snap beans, swap stories, read a book, or talk about Roxboro.", says Lois. "I wanted to convey the feeling of openness."

The League of Municipalities

Lois's time as Mayor of Roxboro led to her introduction to the North Carolina League of Municipalities. She spent several years attending conferences across the state of North Carolina and in Washington, DC. In 2002, she was elected to serve as the group's president. During her term as president, one of her top priorities was getting more people involved with the organization. She said, "It takes more than one person on one board to accomplish the goals that we have set for ourselves in North Carolina."