Longtime Jamestown Councilwoman Kim Ecklund will soon walk up the steps of Tracy Plaza on her way to City Hall as the newly elected mayor, only the second female in almost 30 years to do so, yet the first-ever Republican woman.
“It’s huge,” Ecklund said. “Women have broken barriers as you can see in the world today, but it’s been a little slow here. There is still some work to be done, and I think this raises the ceiling a little bit more for us and makes us be recognized and that we have a voice at the table.”
Joining her at table is Carmella Mantello, the first woman ever elected mayor in the city of Troy.
“It didn’t really hit me until the next day,” Mantello said. “We’re super psyched and there’s a real buzz right now in the city of Troy for change and new leadership. And we plan on bringing that January one.”
As the current City Council president assembles her transition team, she hopes to serve as a role model for others.
“So many people think, feel that, you know, women have overcome so much, we have so much more to overcome,” Carmella said. And this is a testament to that. And the proof will be in the pudding after January first to show the people the results.”
Yvonne Flowers is just the fourth female, but first Black woman elected mayor of Poughkeepsie.
“Well, I was just happy that the people had confidence in me that I’ll be able to lead this city,” Flowers said. “But my thing about being the first Black mayor, now gives other black and brown children the opportunity to know that this is another option for them.”
This current city council leader also putting her team together.
“I think women are very resilient and so I just think sometimes people realize that this is the type of person I want to lead a city especially during our challenging times,” said Flowers.
Ecklund has her transition team ready to go, as she’ll also move from her council seat to the mayor’s table.
“It’s always been somewhat of a man’s world in politics and it’s harder for women I think,” she said. “But it’s going to be exciting from that standpoint to be among some other women winning election seats. Some like you said, for the first time.”
There are also a number of organizations across New York state and nation dedicated to helping women run for elected office, including the League of Women Voters.
