League Treasures Series 2025, Linda Chapin
Ann Patton | Published on 4/13/2025
Linda Chapin, Orange County’s “George Washington”
This article spotlighting Orlando’s Linda Chapin is part of an occasional series about “League Treasures,” iconic leaders in the League of Women Voters of Orange County,
Florida.
In tribute to her historic public service, Mayor Chapin was among five women leaders honored March 28, 2025, by the Orange County Regional History Center. Within the
LWVOC, Linda’s 57-year membership has earned her a place on a very short list of Lifetime Members, distinguishing her as a League Treasure.
When Linda Chapin, a young mother with 4 little children, moved to Orlando in 1968, a friend gave her a peculiar housewarming gift: a membership in the League of Women
Voters.
That gift, from Leaguer Flo Neidig, turned out to be Linda’s ticket to stardom.
The League introduced her to public service. It led to larger community connections.
And, even more empowering, it gave her the tools, training, and confidence to help influence her community.
“I belonged to a generation of women who learned many skills - public speaking, running meetings, reading budgets - in the volunteer and nonprofit sector,” she said.
In less than a decade, Linda was leading her League as president, 1976-78. Before long, she was running the entire county.
In 1986, she was elected to the Orange County Commission, where many credit her with leading the charge to modernize the County Charter. The revolutionary new home-
rule Charter, approved by voters in 1986, provided for a county-wide chair.
In 1990, voters elected Linda to be the first-ever Orange County Mayor – destined to become the most powerful local office in Central Florida. Now some call former Mayor
Linda Chapin “the George Washington of Orange County.”
“Local government is the most rewarding role there is in public service, I think,” Linda said. “You get to experience the results of your efforts in your own home town!”
Over the years, Linda’s public service has become a local legend. Her list of contributions is far too long to cite here. But through it all, and even today, her League
institutions and friends continue to be a touchstone in Linda’s life.
A passionate advocate for the importance of history and especially women’s history, Linda inspired the LWVOC’s centennial celebration for women’s suffrage in 2020 and
the history project that produced a history of the Orange County League, titled “Warriors for Democracy.”
Thank you, Linda, for not only making history throughout your life but also helping us celebrate our own stories, too.
March 28, Linda and four other trail-blazing women were honored by the Orange County Regional History Center for their historic local leadership. Before the History
Center event, Linda was interviewed by Channel 13 TV about women and power. That Channel 13 interview is quoted in its entirety below.
https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2025/03/22/linda-chapin-womens-history
Former Orange County Mayor Linda Chapin recalls pressures facing women leaders
BY JEFF ALLEN ORLANDO
UPDATED 3:29 PM ET MAR. 22,2025 PUBLISHED 1:23 PM ET MAR. 22,2025
ORLANDO, Fla. — In recognition of Women’s History Month in March, Spectrum News 13 talked with Linda Chapin, who led Central Florida in many capacities for several years, including two terms as Orange County mayor.
What You Need To Know
--Linda Chapin still sits on several boards in Central Florida and stays active in what’s happening across the area
--Chapin was one of several women who assumed prominent leadership positions in Central Florida in the 80s and 90s, first as chair of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority before serving the two terms as Orange County mayor
--Chapin oversaw the building of a new county courthouse, the expansion of the Orange County Convention Center, and the creation of the West Orange Trail. Part of that
trail — Chapin Station — is named after her
--Chapin says her and other women’s leadership helped blaze a trail for many women now in leadership positions across the area Chapin still sits on several boards in Central Florida and stays active in what’s happening across the area. But more time out of the spotlight these days allows her to enjoy time at home, including working in her rose garden and playing piano.
“It’s relaxing, but it is also important to keep up certain skills that you’ve acquired in your life,” said Chapin.
At one time, Chapin led Orange County while also raising four children.
“We didn’t know we were living in history,” said Chapin. “We didn’t know we were going to be looked back on 25 years later.”
Chapin was one of several women who assumed prominent leadership positions in Central Florida in the 80s and 90s, first as chair of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority before serving the two terms as Orange County mayor, from 1990 to 1998.In fact, she was the first mayor of the county.
“Sometimes we call it the Golden Age because I was the mayor of Orange County, Glenda Hood was mayor at the City of Orlando, Toni Jennings was president of the
Senate,” said Chapin.
Chapin says women had less room for error than men. “There was always a debate — ‘Is she tough enough for the job?’ And then if you turned out to be very business-like
about things they’d say, ‘Oh she’s not acting very feminine — she’s too tough,’” said Chapin.
But she says it did not take long to prove women were qualified and ready for leadership positions.
“We proved that the conversations and the debate is different when there’s a woman at the table, because we have come from different backgrounds and we’ve had different
experiences,” said Chapin.
Chapin oversaw the building of a new county courthouse, the expansion of the Orange County Convention Center, and the creation of the West Orange Trail. Part of that trail
— Chapin Station — is named after her.
And she led a vision for Central Florida’s future.
“We wanted a new performing arts center, we wanted a children’s hospital — now we have three children’s hospitals — and we dreamed of a professional sports team,” said
Chapin.
Chapin says her and other women’s leadership helped blaze a trail for many women now in leadership positions across the area.
“We had to prove, not just ourselves, but we had to prove for their opportunities,” said Chapin.
And while women she helped pave the way for have now taken the reins of leadership, Chapin says she’ll never stop advocating for them.
“We must train our young women that those battles are not all won,” said Chapin.