New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s Win Is Just The Beginning Of Black Women Overhauling Politics

By TRACEY ROSS via https://www.essence.com

“Almost 300 years, my friends – and New Orleans, we’re still making history,” LaToya Cantrell declared to a crowd of supporters during her victory speech in the mayor’s race in November. This week, Cantrell was officially sworn in as New Orleans’ first female mayor in the midst of the city’s tricentennial celebration. While this is a significant milestone for the city itself, Cantrell’s election was part of a wave of Black women who, undeterred by the dysfunction in Washington, are exercising their political power in cities across the country. This creates an important opportunity to shine a light on the concerns of residents who look like these rising leaders.

Last year, some commentators declared 2017 “the year of the Black woman mayor” in response to the number of Black women on ballots to lead American cities. These races resulted in historic wins such as Cantrell’s race, the election of Vi Lyles as the first Black female Mayor in Charlotte, North Carolina, and excitement in Atlanta over the simple joy of saying, “we got a mayor named Keisha,” when discussing the …

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