ORLANDO, Fla. — A history maker and trailblazer in her own right, Mable Butler is the first Black woman to serve on Orlando City Council and the first Black person elected to the Orange County Commission.

What You Need To Know

  • Butler is the first Black woman to serve on the Orlando City Council and the first Black person on the Orange County Commission

  • Butler successfully brought the Florida Classic to Orlando

  • Butler, now 95, says she is also grateful for the many lives she’s touched throughout the years

The pictures and artifacts on the walls of her home on Mable Butler Avenue tell a story: The story of Mable Butler.

A picture from the early 90’s shows her being sworn in for her second run as a commissioner, this time with Orange County, becoming the first Black person to hold that office. 

That picture is one of many on the walls inside Butler’s home, the space a timeless tribute to the many accomplishments from a political career spanning nearly two and a half decades.

Her most treasured accomplishment is a football game.

“It’s this one, the classic that we have here was in Tampa and they weren’t very hospitable," Butler said. "I said to Mayor Bill Fredrick, I said, 'I’d like to steal the Tampa game.'"

Butler successfully brought the Florida Classic to Orlando and the game was an instant economic boost for many Black businesses in the community. As the first Black woman elected to the Orlando City Council, Butler said she didn’t choose a life of public service, it chose her. 

“Never had any intent to run for office, but I did, and I gave it all I had," she said. "Somebody had to do it, and I guess my Lord hand picked me and set me in these spots."

She’s still spry and going strong at 95, spending most of her time in her home office, making calls to prepare for her Wednesday tradition, serving food at her church. The in-kind gesture, starting a little over two years ago, includes good food paired with friendship and fellowship. 

“OK, y’all let me out of here,” Butler said.

But she will be back next Wednesday, spending time again with those she holds dear. 

“The love, the fellowship, the friendship, my priest, everybody, and that’s what keeps me coming back and enjoying every minute of it," she said. "I made a difference and I know that I changed a lot of hearts, I changed a lot of thinking and I think today we are better for it.” 

She says she is also grateful for the many lives she’s touched throughout the years.