RADFORD – March is Women’s History Month, and throughout the month Radford Mayor David Horton is sharing a weekly Facebook post featuring an aspect of Radford-oriented women’s history.
In his second installment, posted Wednesday, he featured one of his personal heroes who also served as Mayor of Radford.
He wrote:
“Today for #radfordwomenshistory post, I would like to feature a hero of mine: Mayor Margaret Duncan.
“Mayor Duncan served on the Radford City Council for eight years in the early ‘70s. She was vice mayor for two years, 1970-1972, and Radford’s first female mayor from 1972-1974.
“We benefit from her vision for this city every single day. She was a champion for mental health services and for those who had cognitive development challenges. She stated that she never had a specific issue or “an axe to grind” that encouraged her to run for city council, but instead wanted to help solve problems and make Radford the best that it could be for everyone.
“Her list of service included many board appointments and leadership roles with programs like the Fairview Home, the New River Valley Health Board, the Radford Health Council, the Radford City School Board, and the New River Valley Planning District. She was also a charter member of Blue Ridge Educational Television.
“She was the Virginia Education Association Woman of the year in 1963 and was listed in Who’s Who in Virginia in 1974.
“But her greatest gift out of the many she provided to the future was her championing of the building of Bisset Park on what was known as the “Trigg Family Farm site,” considered bottom land along the New River. She recognized that the space could be transformative for the city, even though there was great opposition from some very loud voices in the community.
“‘I feel it is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she said. “Once it has been developed, we will consider it one of our greatest assets.’ People derisively called the place ‘;Margaret’s Bottom’ and claimed that nothing would ever really come of it.
“City council at the time did support it, but without her voice and her dedication, it likely would not have come to fruition. It takes a team to make things happen, but all teams need leadership and direction, which she provided at a crucial time.
“Can you imagine not having Bisset Park today? I cannot. In meeting after meeting regarding the city, it is referred to as one of our greatest assets, as she predicted.
“Mayor Duncan also supported the building of what is today the John Dalton Intermediate School and the building of a new library across from the original recreation building on Main Street.
“She was also very generous in her praise for her colleagues on the city council. ‘There has never been a group who has given more unselfishly of their time than those with whom I have been privileged to serve for four years,’” she recalled.
“The Gazebo in Bisset Park is named in her honor and her memory.
“We owe her our thanks for her vision and her service as she had a major role in helping make
Radford the community it is today.
“#GORADFORD
“#WomensHistoryMonth.”
