Lesueur a pioneer of Burbank women
BURBANK: THEN & NOW
Throughout history, the contributions of women have transformed our
society. Their achievements in the sciences, arts, education,
industry, the home and government have significantly altered the way
in which we live. From getting the right to vote to holding major
office, a woman’s role in government has radically changed. Burbank’s
own government is an example of the remarkable progress women have
made. Burbank currently has women in the positions of mayor, vice
mayor, city clerk, city manager and city treasurer. Women also lead
city departments and serve on various boards, commissions and
committees. Women’s involvement in Burbank’s government, however, has
a long history. One of the most prominent women in Burbank’s civic
history is Mary Octavia Lesueur.
Lesueur was born in 1869 in La Fayette County, Mo. She was the
oldest of Alexander and Florence (Trigg) Lesueur’s nine children. Her
upbringing introduced her to the workings of government, and her
fascination with it influenced her to pursue that interest her entire
life. She attended school in Lexington, Mo., and began working with
her father, who published the local newspaper. Her job afforded her
the opportunity to stay abreast of current events in the community
and meet the influential people that were the subjects of the paper’s
stories.
Her father’s ambitions successfully led him to become Missouri’s
secretary of state. She followed her father to the state capital, and
served as a secretary on his staff. Her daily life was absorbed by
the business of government, which she relished.
After completing his term as secretary of state, her father moved
the family to the Cherokee Strip of Oklahoma. He founded a bank in
the town of Antlers, and Octavia, which she was commonly called, went
to work as a cashier. By the time she left the bank for Burbank, she
was its president. Her business savvy, sharp wit and business acumen
prepared her well for life in Burbank.
Her parents’ move to Burbank proceeded her own. She eventually
followed them and arrived in Burbank in 1919. At that time, Burbank
was a small town that had a population of 2,913 and did not yet have
a city charter. She purchased Paxton Insurance Agency and quickly
established a successful business that eventually expanded into an
escrow company for the rapidly growing town. She, however, did not
leave her interests in civic matters in Oklahoma.
She quickly immersed herself in Burbank’s civic life. In 1922, the
Burbank Chamber of Commerce was being organized. She jumped at the
opportunity to participate in its formation, and served as the
chamber’s first secretary. She also helped organize the Burbank
Realty Board foundation. There she served for many years as the only
female member, as secretary and president. Her many accomplishments
there earned her the title of president emeritus. While she continued
to make invaluable contributions to Burbank’s business community, her
contributions to Burbank’s government would be her greatest legacy.
Since its incorporation in July 1911, Burbank had operated without
the benefit of a city charter. A charter, which basically dictates
the roles and rules of local government, affords a city the
opportunity to operate with more autonomy from the general
restrictions of the state. Until 1926, however, Burbank did not have
a sufficient population to have a city charter. That changed in 1926,
when Burbank’s population surpassed 3,500 people, the minimum
required by the state of California to be considered for charter
status. A committee of “Fifteen Freeholders” was selected to begin
drafting a charter. Octavia was tapped to be one of its members and
she quickly went to work to be the primary author of Burbank’s City
Charter. Her tireless efforts lead to the creation of the city
charter, which called for a council-manager form of government still
in use today. The voters of Burbank approved the charter on Jan. 4,
1927, and it was ratified by the California Legislature on Jan. 13,
1927.
Her civic involvement did not end with the ratification of the
city’s charter. She again was tapped by the city in April 1927 to
serve as the first president of the newly created Park Board. The
primary function of the Park Board at the time was to preserve the
pepper trees that were planted by the Providencia Land Company in
1887. Under her leadership, she radically expanded the role of the
Park Board, which planted over 30,000 trees.
She continued to play an active role in government as well run her
business for the rest of her life. She passed away on Jan. 29, 1948,
at age 78.
Lesueur’s contributions to Burbank’s civic life are enduring and
invaluable. She serves as an inspiration not only to women but to all
those who work to enhance the city they live in.
* CRAIG BULLOCK is the chairman of the Burbank Heritage
Commission.
He can be reached at brbnkheritagecom@aol.com.