Houston Mayor Annise Parker was named one of 2014’s top Mayors of the World this week in an annual contest organized by the City Mayors Foundation, a think tank focused on promoting good local government and urban affairs.
Parker placed seventh in the partially vote-based international competition and was the only mayor from the United States to crack the top 10. Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi took home top honors.
In its summary explaining their rankings, the World Mayor Jury commended Parker for her adept balancing of social and economic issues, fiscally responsible policies, and efforts to advance human rights in Houston – such as her successful effort to pass the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance in 2014.
“I am humbled that others view this work as worthy of being right up there with the accomplishments of my mayoral colleagues around the world,” Parker said in response to the news.
Having first elected Parker in 2009, Houston remains the largest U.S. city ever to elect an openly gay mayor.
