The powerful Board of Supervisors will be five women for the first time ever.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles County made history when state Senator Holly J. Mitchell won the board’s Second District race against L.A. City Councilman Herb Wesson. Five women (Mitchell, Sheila Kuehl, Janice Hahn, Hilda Solis, and Kathryn Barger) will sit on the county’s Board of Supervisors for the first time since its inception 168 years ago as the result of a Tuesday election.
“I’m honored to have earned the opportunity to represent the residents of the Second Supervisorial District,” Mitchell said in response to the victory. “This was a community-driven campaign based on creating a more equitable, inclusive, and prosperous LA County. Now is the time to turn our vision into action,” she added.
With the election of Senator @HollyJMitchell, for the first time in history every seat on the LA County Board of Supervisors is held by a woman.
My Dad Kenny was a forward-thinking man but I don’t think he saw this coming. History in the making. pic.twitter.com/zCVOqNDKdy
— Janice Hahn (@SupJaniceHahn) November 5, 2020
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn embraced Mitchell with open arms saying, “Congratulations, Holly, you are a welcome addition to the ‘Fab Four Females’ already on the Board!”
Los Angeles County made history electing an all-women Board of Supervisors! Congratulations and welcome aboard, @HollyJMitchell! pic.twitter.com/5kl9fgQv0Q
— Supervisor Kathryn Barger (@kathrynbarger) November 5, 2020
Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Kathryn Barger gave the newcomer a warm welcome in a Twitter post celebrating the historic moment.
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors is considered the country’s most powerful local governmental group and has been dubbed the “the five little kings” up until now. Positions within the body are typically dominated by males for decades overseeing the county’s $35-billion budget and enjoying the perks that come with the coveted seat.
Being the nation’s most populous county which has the largest jail system and public health care infrastructures means the influence on how the budget is spent can have a significant impact on residents. That involves managing L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, mental health services, homeless programs, foster care and juvenile detention, the L.A. Metro. In addition to county beaches, parks and libraries.
L.A. has taken a huge step towards becoming a more progressive county and we’re entering a new era of the five queens.
[Featured Image: Holly Mitchell]