Why This Pittsburgh Mayor Had an Affinity for Frogs

It’s the time of year when pocket-sized amphibians start emerging in Western Pennsylvania. (Our state actually has 18 native species of frogs and toads.)

On a recent trip to the Heinz History Center in the Strip District, I learned that Pittsburgh’s first female and Jewish mayor Sophie Masloff (1988-1994) had an affinity for these tiny hoppers.

Masloff was certainly charming and quirky — but why the frog? 🐸

The story goes: Masloff stepped on one of these critters the same day she saw Eleanor Roosevelt speak in the Hill District when she was a child. After that, she considered it a good luck sign and started collecting frog memorabilia, like this brass figurine, bracelet, and brooch.

Frogs have symbolic meanings across cultures — like abundance, longevity, and transformation. And for Masloff, fortune. (It’s unclear what happened to the frog, but I assume it hopped away without injury if Sophie took it as a good omen.)

There are certainly many more important things to know about this famed Pittsburgh mayor. But as spring will soon do its thing — and these ribbeting creatures make themselves known — I hope one finds you with good luck, too.