Augusta, GA
We the People: Augusta trailblazer Carrie J. Mays made history as first woman on city council
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Carrie J. Mays was a trailblazer for Black women across the South.
Born in 1928, Mays became the first woman ever elected to the Augusta City Council in 1970, just a couple years after the Civil Rights Movement. She was also the first Black woman elected to city council in the Southeast.
“She was a trailblazer,” said John Hayes, associate professor of history at Augusta University.
Breaking race and gender barriers
Mays broke both a race and gender barrier by getting elected. She defeated both a white businessman and a prominent Black minister in her race for city council.
Hayes said one of her biggest accomplishments was her role in creating a human relations commission.
The commission got legitimate funding and subpoena power. It opened new economic doors in terms of job opportunities and promotions for Augusta’s Black citizens, Hayes said.
Role in 1970 riot
Right before being elected to city council, Mays also played a role in the 1970 riot.
As a mortician, she sounded the alarm, disputing what authorities said happened to Charles Oatman.
“She’s in the crowd there and is demanding basically truth and justice holding white authorities to account,” Hayes said.
Lasting legacy
Mays went on to become secretary of the Georgia Democratic Party and a presidential elector.
Her legacy still lives on through the Carrie J. Mays Community Center, continuing to impact Augusta more than 30 years after her passing.
“She was a great person for Augusta, for Georgia, and for the United States,” Hayes said.
The Mays family can be found all over Augusta. Willie Mays the Third was the first Black mayor of the consolidated Augusta-Richmond County. Mays Mortuary has stood for about a century.
Mays Mortuary is one of just a few buildings left in what was the Black business district during the era of segregation.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Augusta election leaders met Monday to discuss a lawsuit filed by a former mayoral candidate.
Dr. Lori Myles is suing the Augusta Commission, as well as state and local voting leaders.
Myles alleges those involved with the May 19th primary destroyed absentee ballots and eliminated from the overall vote count.
“So the Board of Elections received a lawsuit from Lori Myles contesting the election asking for a recount, said Travis Doss, the Board of Elections director. “The Board discussed in executive session and when they came out of executive session they voted to authorize the county attorney to file an answer to that lawsuit basically that answer will be asking a judge for a dismissal on that lawsuit and it will be filed tomorrow.”
WJBF NewsChannel 6 will keep you updated on the next steps of the lawsuit as that information becomes available.
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta will welcome community leaders to its Legislative Day on Monday.
The event will provide an inside look at the impact of the organization’s summer programs and year-round youth development initiatives.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta becomes an even more critical resource for local families during the summer. The organization provides supportive environments where local youth continue learning, building relationships and preparing for their futures.
During Legislative Day, community leaders will meet with staff and Club members, and experience how Boys & Girls Clubs is helping young people succeed through workforce readiness programming, academic enrichment, mental health support, nutritious meals and snacks and caring adult mentorship.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta serves youth throughout the region by providing high-quality programming focused on academic success, healthy lifestyles, character and leadership development and career readiness.
The event will start at 11:30 a.m. at E.W. Hagler Boys & Girls Club, 1903 Division Street.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) — One person is dead following a crash in Augusta
It happened on the 4600 block of Mike Padgett Highway around 8:50 p.m. Saturday, June 20.
According to the coroner, Charles Cummings, 70, from Augusta was pronounced dead on scene at 9:52 p.m. An autopsy has been scheduled.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
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