Glenda Hood

Who is Glenda Hood?

Glenda Evans Hood is a U.S. politician, who was Secretary of State of Florida, from 2003 to 2005, and the first woman to serve as Mayor of Orlando.

A Republican, Hood served as a district commissioner for the City of Orlando from 1982 to 1992, when she was elected Mayor. She was re-elected to 4-year terms as mayor in 1996 and 2000. Before her election to the Orlando City Council, she had served as Vice-Chairman of the Municipal Planning Board and Zoning Commission, member of the Nominating Board and Chairman of the Task Force on Board and Commission Restructure. She also has served as President of the National League of Cities, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Hood's time as mayor coincided with Linda Chapin's chairmanship of the Orange County Commission, a time when feminine influence over local politics was at an all-time high. The two women, along with state senator Toni Jennings and Dianna Fuller Morgan, were recognized as the leaders of the local "old girl network." They formed close friendships despite surface political differences, and even took annual Christmas shopping trips to New York City together.