Bellevue Mayor Charlie Cleves proclaimed June 11 to be Carol Schoulthies Day, honoring the first woman to serve on the Bellevue City Council.
The proclamation, made during the city’s June council meeting, honors Schoulthies, a lifelong resident of Bellevue, for 50 years of service to the community, said Cleves. The mayor noted her dedication to the community, serving in city government while also balancing raising five children with her husband of 62 years, Ralph Schoulthies.
Schoulthies was sworn in on December 30, 1977, and served four years in that role. As a council member, she served on the financial, policy, ways and means and safety committees.
She helped usher in several city projects, including the harbor growing initiative, the construction of the Bellevue Flora Gym, the development of UDF and improvements to Berry Street. She went on to serve for 50 years on the city’s planning and zoning commission.
“Mrs. Schulthies was the first female member of the Bellevue city council, noted for ‘paving the way for women and younger individuals’ to join at a time when older men dominated,” Celeves said.
Council member Shauna Kruse thanked Schulthies and noted, “With this last election, we have the most women ever on city council.”
The city has three women on city council — Kruse, Chasity Bothman and Kara Harp.
Schoulthies’ father, Stanley Swope, served on the city council before her. Her daughter, Sally Schoulthies Young, who passed away in 2013, will be honored this year with a bench in Swope Park.
Many members of the Swope and Schoulthies family were on hand to witness the city’s proclamation and celebrate with her.
