74°
GREENWICH, Conn. Former Greenwich First Selectwoman Ruth L. Sims, the first woman to serve in that office, died Friday, First Selectman Peter Tesei announced.
Sims served as the towns first selectwoman from 1977 to 1981, first elected as the result of a special court-mandated election when the initial election was ruled a tie. Sims became the first woman to serve and the first Democrat to serve in 72 years. She was also the first full-time chief elected official when the town charter was amended Jan. 1, 1978.
Sims was reelected in 1979 and presided over Greenwich during the towns historic drought of 1980.
After her second term, Sims served as president of both the local and Connecticut League of Women Voters; the boards of directors of the Connecticut Women's Bank and the Southern New England Telephone Company; the representative town meeting; and the Greenwich High School Parent Teacher Association.
May God bless Ruth L. Sims and may she rest in peace, said Tesei in a statement.
Flags in Greenwich will be lowered to half staff in Sims honor and a condolence book will be available in the foyer of Town Hall for those who wish to express their sympathy to the Sims family. Greenwich Town Hall is located at 101 Field Point Road.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Greenwich and receive free news updates.
