Voters in Albany and Savannah elected female mayors this year. They join Columbus and Athens as major Georgia cities led by women.

When Dorothy Hubbard takes the oath of office on January 9, she will be Albany’s first female mayor.

Edna Jackson will take office Tuesday as Savannah’s first African-American female mayor.

Tom Crawford, editor of the online political magazine The Georgia Report, says it’s significant moment in Georgia politics for women.

“It certainly shows an expanding role for women, at least at the municipal government level here in Georgia, and you do have four of the state’s biggest cities with women mayors,” he said.

Crawford says women are increasingly taking on more high-profile roles in Georgia politics, including under the Gold Dome in Atlanta.

“You know, a woman, Jan Jones, is now Speaker Pro Tem of the Georgia House," he said in an interview. "That’s high up in the leadership and I believe she’s the first woman to hold that post as well. So you are seeing it happen.”

Hubbard and Jackson both won runoff elections.

Tags: Savannah, Albany, Edna Jackson, women mayors, Dorothy Hubbard