Commissioner Fran Russo was born in Cherokee County South Carolina and moved to Key West, Florida in 1953. She graduated from Key West High School and received a Child Care Certification from Broward Community College in 1976.

In 1969, Commissioner Russo opened the Little Shavers Day Care Center located in West Hollywood and continued to operate it until she retired in 1980.

Fran Russo has been a civic activist for more than 42 years. She has been involved with the Driftwood Civic Association and the Boulevard Heights Homeowners Association, a member of the Broward County Democratic Executive Committee, Secretary to the Florida Federation of Italian American Clubs, and is the past President and founding member of the Italian American Women's Club of Broward County. She has also been involved in many campaigns and City issues.

She fought against re-zoning of the area from Coolidge Street to Sheridan Street to multi-family dwellings, which would have dramatically changed the single family neighborhoods. She also helped stop the development of the Sheridan Oak Forest property.

Commissioner Russo currently serves on the State Road 7 Steering Committee and the Broward Planning Council as well as the subcommittee for Affordable Housing in Broward County. Commissioner Russo is committed to working diligently to protect the interest of the citizens of Hollywood. Her motto is "growth is inevitable, but only the right kind of growth is progress".

The Boys and Girls Club of Hollywood is staunchly supported by Commissioner Russo. She continues to encourage everyone to support and participate in the activities of the Boys and Girls Club. They provide quality recreation programs for our children and community.

Fran Russo was married to the late Leonard Russo for 44 years, and has four adult children, 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.