Definition

Noun: An elected female member of a board of officials responsible for the governance of a town, particularly in the New England region of the United States. This role involves participating in local legislative and administrative decisions.

Usage

The term "selectwoman" is used specifically to refer to a woman holding the office of a selectman. It is a title used in the context of New England town government. * The selectwoman proposed a new budget for the town's library. * As a selectwoman, her primary duty is to represent the interests of her constituents at town meetings.

Advanced Usage

• The term is part of a gendered pair ("selectman" and "selectwoman") traditionally used in New England. In modern usage, many towns are adopting the gender-neutral title "select board member" or simply "selectperson."
• It is often capitalized when used as a formal title preceding a name.
  • Selectwoman Jane Smith voted in favor of the proposal.

Variants and Related Words

• Selectman (noun): The male counterpart; an elected male member of a town board.
• Selectperson (noun): A modern, gender-neutral term for an elected member of a town board.
• Select Board (noun): The collective governing body composed of selectmen, selectwomen, and/or selectpersons.
• Town Councilor (noun): A similar elected municipal official, a term more common in areas outside of New England's traditional town meeting system.

Synonyms

• Town official
• Municipal officer
• Councilor (in a town council system)

Related Phrases

• Board of Selectmen/Selectwomen: The official name for the governing board.
  • She was elected to serve on the Board of Selectwomen and Selectmen.
• Town Meeting: The legislative assembly of a town where selectwomen present and debate issues.
  • The selectwoman presented the annual report at the Town Meeting.

Noun

1. an elected member of a board of officials who run New England towns