Photo Provided

This photograph from the newspaper archives shows Stella Koerner cutting a ribbon in April 1988 for Body Graphics. Koerner was the first woman mayor of Wheeling from 1986-1988 and only the second female city council member after Mae Hughes. She appeared on the “Today” show in 1986 after Wheeling was named the nation’s safest city. Koerner initiated public relations campaigns for the city including the “I Love Wheeling” buttons and spearheaded the drive to build the Veterans Memorial at the waterfront. Usually seen in her signature hats and high heels, she was truly dedicated to Wheeling.