Uncrowned Community Builders

Born Pauline Garnett in Richmond, Virginia, she moved to Buffalo with her parents, Rev. E. J. Garnett and Alpha Elizabeth Shelton Garnett as a youngster. She attended Buffalo Public Schools. Ms. Garnett was married to Clyde McGowan. She worked for AT&T as a warehouse machine operator from 1940 until 1971 when she retired.

Mrs. McGowan became active in politics in the late 1950s. She was the first woman to run for the Erie County Board of Supervisors and began her tenure by filling the seat of the late F. Cecil Brown. She became a longtime member of the Erie County Board of Supervisors, representing the 7th District, 12th Ward. She served as president of the Masten District Democratic Club. Pauline McGowan Booster's Club helped to get her the Democratic endorsement for the 12th Ward seat.

She also was a member of the NAACP; headed up the Women's Auxiliary. She was also active in the community as a member of the Phyllis Wheatley Club, the Sojourner Truth Club and the AT&T Pioneer Club.

Clyde McGowan was a businessman who owned his own barbershop. Mrs. McGowan and her husband had an extraordinary record of service as foster parents. For about 30 years, they were foster parents to over 50 children. Mrs. McGowan received the Distinguished Service Award for Foster Parents in New York State. She also received the community service certificate from the Disabled American Veterans. She was a member of Metropolitan United Methodist Church.

Mrs. McGowan died at the age of 89. She is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York.