2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Black Females Return to Council
Monica Jones
5/12/07
Metro
Metro
The stepping down of Linda Cropp after an unsuccessful bid for the Washington, D.C., Mayoral position deprived the council of its only black female member.
Not since the 1970's has the DC City Council been void of the presence of a council member that was an African American woman.
On May 1, not one, but two black female council members were elected to fill the coveted seats on the council for Wards 4 and 7.
Previously these positions were held by Vincent Gray (Ward 7) and the current Mayor, Adrian Fenty (Ward 4). Muriel Bowser defeated 18 opponents for the Ward 7 position, while Yvette Alexander beat 16 candidates for her position as council member of Ward 4.
Muriel Bowser is a fourth generation Washingtonian, with a Masters Degree in Public Policy from American University. Bowser's credentials include residency in Riggs Park, coordinator of Ward 4 for the Fenty 2006 Mayoral Campaign, 1st Vice President of Ward 4 Democrats, and 2nd Vice President of the Lamond Riggs Citizens Association.
Her dedication during the Fenty Campaign to his grass roots style of campaigning won her the sponsorship of Fenty himself in filling his previous council seat.
Yvette Alexander, a Howard University graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, was born and raised in the district.
Before her election as council women of Ward 7, Alexander's previous place of employment for five years was at the Washinton, D.C., Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking as an Insurance Regulator.
Her extensive list of accomplishments includes Ward 7 Female Representative on the Washington, D.C., Democratic State Committee where she served as Chair of Voter Education, Affirmative action and Corresponding Secretary.
Both councilwomen recognize the importance of focusing on the needs of the residents and neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., when developing their legislation.
"I am going to make sure that citizens are getting services that they need", said Bowser about her immediate plans of action as Ward 4's newly elected councilwoman.
"I want changes to be visible in the community, like taking down the graffiti. And also curbing any rises in potential violence that may occur over the summer."
Adam Clampett, a community activist in Ward 6 and Community Director for the DC Young Democrats, feels that Muriel Bowser understands her ward, and will work tirelessly to ensure that her constituents are properly represented and are receiving the best services possible from the city.
"To Muriel, this is not about her. This is about doing what's right and using her passion and skills to make DC a city where parents have confidence in the public schools, where people can safely walk the streets at night, and where economic opportunity extends to all our residents," Clampett said.
In regards to Alexander (D-Ward 7), Clampett commented that, "Yvette not only has deep roots in the Ward, but has a genuine understanding of the complex issues facing the residents."
Not since the 1970's has the DC City Council been void of the presence of a council member that was an African American woman.
On May 1, not one, but two black female council members were elected to fill the coveted seats on the council for Wards 4 and 7.
Previously these positions were held by Vincent Gray (Ward 7) and the current Mayor, Adrian Fenty (Ward 4). Muriel Bowser defeated 18 opponents for the Ward 7 position, while Yvette Alexander beat 16 candidates for her position as council member of Ward 4.
Muriel Bowser is a fourth generation Washingtonian, with a Masters Degree in Public Policy from American University. Bowser's credentials include residency in Riggs Park, coordinator of Ward 4 for the Fenty 2006 Mayoral Campaign, 1st Vice President of Ward 4 Democrats, and 2nd Vice President of the Lamond Riggs Citizens Association.
Her dedication during the Fenty Campaign to his grass roots style of campaigning won her the sponsorship of Fenty himself in filling his previous council seat.
Yvette Alexander, a Howard University graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, was born and raised in the district.
Before her election as council women of Ward 7, Alexander's previous place of employment for five years was at the Washinton, D.C., Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking as an Insurance Regulator.
Her extensive list of accomplishments includes Ward 7 Female Representative on the Washington, D.C., Democratic State Committee where she served as Chair of Voter Education, Affirmative action and Corresponding Secretary.
Both councilwomen recognize the importance of focusing on the needs of the residents and neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., when developing their legislation.
"I am going to make sure that citizens are getting services that they need", said Bowser about her immediate plans of action as Ward 4's newly elected councilwoman.
"I want changes to be visible in the community, like taking down the graffiti. And also curbing any rises in potential violence that may occur over the summer."
Adam Clampett, a community activist in Ward 6 and Community Director for the DC Young Democrats, feels that Muriel Bowser understands her ward, and will work tirelessly to ensure that her constituents are properly represented and are receiving the best services possible from the city.
"To Muriel, this is not about her. This is about doing what's right and using her passion and skills to make DC a city where parents have confidence in the public schools, where people can safely walk the streets at night, and where economic opportunity extends to all our residents," Clampett said.
In regards to Alexander (D-Ward 7), Clampett commented that, "Yvette not only has deep roots in the Ward, but has a genuine understanding of the complex issues facing the residents."
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