Mayor Wheeler credited women for his re-election. Highlighted equal rights in his inaugural address in1922.
“…I was re-elected by the largest vote and the largest majority ever given a mayor, and our city has made the best showing of any city in the state…
“…The time has come when the women must be recognized in our body politic. This year I have put on the ward officers several women and anyone visiting the polling places where ladies were working could easily see a cleaner influence was at work. It has been freely said that the women of Gloucester elected me. Very well, I am proud of it and I hope to make them proud of it, too.
and the organization of women in this city I predict will do more for the advancement of our city and the cleaning of our politics than a dozen boards of trade or chambers of commerce. Yes, if I am a women’s mayor, I am proud of it and I thank them one and all for their support, and I will turn around and help one of them to be Mayor if you men don’t fight cleaner than some of you do now.”
Hon. Percy Wheeler, Mayoral address following re-election, Jan. 2 1922, Gloucester, MA