This week in history: First blacks elected to West Palm Beach commission, and first woman mayor

On March 28, 1978, after West Palm Beach converted to electing commissioners by district rather than at-large, Eva Mack and Ruby L. Bullock were the first blacks elected to the city commission. Helen Wilkes was elected the first woman mayor.

Ruby L. Bullock celebrates with Ray Hookey (left) and Art Bullard after she won the 1978 West Palm Beach runoff election. Eva Williams Mack won the other seat. They became the first-ever African-Americans elected to the commission. (Palm Beach Post staff file photo)

Eva Williams Mack later became Florida’s first black female mayor when she was elected mayor by her fellow commissioners in 1982. (Palm Beach Post staff file photo)

Helen Wilkes poses in this undated photo in front of the hotel that bore her name after she bought the property in 1973. (Palm Beach Post staff file photo)

Tags: politicians, This Week in History, West Palm Beach, women