 Caliguiri was serving as President of Pittsburgh City Council and became mayor when Peter Flaherty was appointed Deputy Attorney General of the United States in the Jimmy Carter Presidential Administration.When the Pittsburgh City Council switched from one being elected at-large to a by-district format in 1989, she was the first person elected to represent Council District 2, winning 26.5% of the vote.In October 1979 she picketed in front of Mayor Caliguri's office every day for greater minority representation in city government.