Atlanta's first woman mayor reflects new era

"There's a lot of nuances happening," says William Boone, a political science professor at Clark Atlanta University (CAU). "What we're seeing is not whether we'll get another black mayor in the future, but whether the black vote will control who becomes mayor."

As a member of Atlanta's broad battalion of professional black women, Franklin says she's learned to abandon politics that divide in favor of politics that include. "I knew I would appeal to the majority of people who are not anxious at all to return to the time when people didn't get along," says Franklin. "I don't think there's a move away from race, but a move toward inclusiveness."

The new mayor says she defines herself as a student of black women leaders like Harriet Tubman and Mary McCloud Bethune, the presidential adviser who started life as a Southern cotton-picker. A civil rights activist at Howard University in the 1960s, the Philadelphia-born Franklin came to Atlanta 30 years ago and raised three sons here. She still lives in the same house on the southwest side of town. And locals sense that she really seems to mean it when she shouts: "I love you, Atlanta!"

"What's happening is that you're getting minority candidates who can build coalitions that are larger than just the black community," says Niger Innis, a spokesman for the Congress of Racial Equality in New York.

Even so, instead of shutting out traditional African-American ideas, the new atmosphere may open up opportunities for a broader range of black politicians. But Innis agrees that politicians like Franklin are likely to experience growing pains as they get used to their new constituencies.

"The bigger problem is that this city is still deeply divided between black and white, the haves and the have-nots," says state Sen. Vincent Fort, who has made a study out of Atlanta's racial politics. "There's a good deal of optimism right now, but she has a very fine line to walk."

Many say Franklin will get into trouble if she steers too hard toward any group's particular agenda. Others say that Franklin is a political wolf in a hipster's clothing. Indeed, she's not a radical outsider by any means: She's a shrewd businesswoman and manager who has held some 30 board posts in local corporations. She was the top woman executive in the team that brought the Olympics to Atlanta. She also served for 13 years as city manager.

"She's a good administrator, she has style, and she can be angry at the right time," says Mr. Boone, the CAU professor.

Mostly, her leadership style seems convivial and congenial. Indeed, she hosted the entire city council at her house Friday night.

Downtown, many Atlantans are optimstic about her refreshing approach. "I saw that white hair and I knew she'd win," says Brian Ward, a local bodyguard. "This is a young, energetic city known for its strong, independent women, and she epitomizes all that. I think she's going to be a good example for the South around the world."

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