Loyola University Chicago

Gannon Center for Women and Leadership

Mary Ann Smith


Mary Ann Smith, Mundelein College '85, is the alderman of the 48th ward in Chicago.  She was appointed in 1989 by Mayor Richard M. Daley to replace Kathy Osterman, who stepped down to take a position in the Daley administration and was re-elected in 1991.  Mrs. Smith has been re-elected to serve five full terms in office.  She is known for her concern for the environment and particularly of Chicago's lakefront.  She is chair of the City Council Committee on Parks.  Formerly, she served as vice-chair of the City Council Subcommittee on the Chicago Lakefront, as vice-chair of the Lake Michigan Federation, and she was a founding member of PCB's Gone.  She earned a United Nations Environment Programme Award for Citizen Action to Protect the Global Environment.  She also serves on the city's Advisory Council on Chicago Green Development.