Today’s Arizona Woman Magazine Names Mayor Elaine Scruggs Woman of the Year

When it comes to achieving results, Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs has become known as one of Arizona’s most influential business and community leaders.

Recognizing Scruggs’ critical role in Glendale’s emergence as a vibrant city and her ability to "seize the moment" when economic development and other opportunities arise, Today’s Arizona Woman named Scruggs the magazine’s 2002 Woman of the Year.

Scruggs was honored along with rock-and-roll icon Alice Cooper – the magazine’s Man of the Year. "I have always believed that Glendale's best possible future would only be limited by the extent of our own imaginations, vision, and resolve," Scruggs says.

"I share this honor with the members of our City Council, our citizens, our management team and our staff who have all focused on achieving the most important and ambitious goals for our city and who have contributed to our many successes. It is truly a privilege to serve as mayor of Glendale."

In addition to her significant contributions in Glendale and the West Valley, Scruggs is an active leader in regional and statewide issues.

As mayor of Glendale, which is home to Luke Air Force Base, she has taken a strong leadership role in protecting the critical missions of all military airports throughout the state. Scruggs currently serves on both the Arizona Military Airport Preservation Committee, the Governor’s Military Facilities Task Force and chairs the Fighter Country Coalition.

Helping foster the positive development of youth is also one of the mayor’s ongoing priorities. Scruggs actively participates in her Mayors Youth Advisory Commission, the Glendale Mayor’s Alliance for Youth and serves on the YWCA Advisory Board. Through her leadership, Glendale has been designated the first "Kids at Hope City" in the United States.

Scruggs’ countless volunteer hours and devotion to serving her city, region and state for the benefit of all Arizonans has not gone unnoticed.

She received the prestigious YWCA Tribute to Women Award in 2001 for her dedication to community service and was also recently recognized for her efforts in promoting volunteerism as one of the Valley’s most exemplary community leaders by the Make a Difference Foundation.