FlasHBack - Reflections of Former Mayor Norma Gibbs

Born in 1925, Norma Brandel Gibbs served as the City's first female Mayor of Huntington Beach. Norma moved to California in 1957 to become a professor at the new college in Long Beach, now known as CSULB. She enjoyed her tenure as a professor teaching her beloved subject of Mental Hygiene. Along the way she became a visionary, humanitarian, avid world traveler, political pioneer, and community builder.

After moving to Huntington Beach in 1963, she joined many committees to help the city grow with a vision for the future of open space and park preservation. She was the first woman to be appointed to the Recreation and Parks Commission, first woman elected to the Huntington Beach City Council and to serve as mayor, co founder of Interval House, a home for victims of domestic violence, chair and/or a member of the following organizations: The Huntington Beach Library Patrons, Golden West College Patrons, Amigos De Bolsa Chica, Association of Emeriti at CSULB, The Disneyland Community Service Awards, Community United Methodist Church, Orange County Council on Aging, The Committee to create the Huntington Beach Senior Center, and so many others.

Having the Norma Brandel Gibbs Butterfly Park dedicated to coincide with her 70th birthday in July of 1995 was by far one of her proudest moments.

Norma passed away peacefully in her home in Huntington Beach on Sunday, August 25, 2019.