From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, February 4, 1925: Mayor Lew Shank yesterday appointed Lelia Kern Taylor, the wife of Dr. James H. Taylor, the first woman member of the Indianapolis plan commission. Long active in civic affairs, Mrs. Taylor said of her appointment, “I do not know what problems the board has to meet, but I certainly am for the beautifying of the city, and I do not favor the destruction of these flower plots [esplanades] in the center of our streets. Rather, I favor taking from properties or sidewalks if the streets must be widened. It is a great help to have a flower plot and some grass in the center of the street. Beauty is a thing we must encourage.” She expressed regret that the board of works is contemplating the removal of the esplanades from Delaware Street.