Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin

Metro Atlanta

Atlanta's first female mayor Shirley Franklin saw plenty of ups, downs during her 8-year tenure in office.

1 / 10

When Shirley Franklin, Atlanta's first female mayor, took office in 2002, she inherited a massive budget deficit and was able to win a property tax hike of nearly 50 percent to erase it.

Today’s Gallery Headlines

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

PHOTOS: Atlanta stylist Kenzie Welch redefines style

PHOTOS: New Fulton school prepares for school year

Briar Hills Elementary School is a new school in Fulton County. It was built to replace Conley Hills Elementary near Woodland Middle School in East Point.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

PHOTOS: Georgia Tech holds first day of practice

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets held their first football practice of the fall season on Tuesday, July 29. The season opener vs. Colorado is exactly one month away.

Credit: Courtesy of Centennial Yards

PHOTOS: The Mitchell apartments at Centennial Yards

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Photos: Buford football unveils new Phillip Beard Stadium

Buford High School's Phillip Beard Stadium, named in honor of the longtime chairman of the Buford Board of Education, seats more than 10,000 people.

Credit: Courtesy of Gas South District

PHOTOS: Renderings of Gas South Arena's renovations

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

PHOTOS: Falcons first day of training camp

Fans gathered to get their first view of Atlanta Falcons players on the first day of training camp.

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

PHOTOS: Falcons arrive for training camp

Falcons players arrived at Flowery Branch for the beginning of training camp.