By: Patricia Patterson
It is often said that we each weave the tapestry of our lives. San Francisco’s newly
elected Mayor London Breed has already created a rich and diverse fabric for her 43
years. Elected as the 45 th mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, California in
June 2018, she also made history as the first African American woman, and only the
second woman to be elected to lead the 13th largest city in the nation. Her story has
been a powerful, symbolic and reinforcing message to all populations, especially with
the current national political landscape and 2018 midterm elections on the horizon.
Breed proved to be this year’s leader of choice in San Francisco, known for its forward
thinking, vanguard-like ways in areas such as technology, culture and entrepreneurship.
It also has its share of challenges including gentrification, homelessness, housing,
education and a high cost of living. She addressed those issues in her campaign, with
solid backing from a multicultural base of high ranking supporters and mentors like
Kamala Harris, Barbara Lee, Nancy Pelosi, Willie Brown and local voters – a theme
that’s repeated increasingly as African American women launch campaigns and win key
elections. Americans everywhere, frustrated by the daily doses of political uncertainties,
changing values and perilous times, are mobilizing to get out the vote and secure more
viable leaders. Those leaders are winning solidly, to actuate the change that’s needed
as well. Breed has joined those ranks.
Hers is an inspirational story that serves as a beacon of light and hope, for all
populations, and particularly for African American women. Breed grew up in poverty,
was raised by her grandmother in public housing in the Western Addition area of San
Francisco, (ironically, blocks away from city hall), where she was exposed to crime,
drugs and homelessness (her sister died of a drug overdose, and her brother is in
prison). She was inspired by her strong and generous grandmother, whom she
witnessed helping others even though living under the poverty level. Encouraged to
excel, Breed would later go away to college, graduate, obtain her master’s degree in
public administration and return to work. She worked in her community as an executive
director of a once failing cultural center, which she transformed into a thriving complex.
She was hired into several political positions, elected as a board supervisor in the
district where she was raised, then was elected president of that board of supervisors,
the second highest ranking official in the city.
Breed won a highly competitive San Francisco mayoral race which had everything to do
with her true knowledge of her city and a platform focused on addressing issues that
mattered to San Franciscans today and in the future. Her goal – to improve the very life
she had lived in her early years and pledged to be an advocate for the less fortunate
and underserved. Key initiatives already underway to help realize that goal include
public safety, homelessness, housing, education, police reform and protecting the
environment.
A few statistics illustrate both the wide gap in today’s political profile, and steady
progress by African American women leaders. Breed is one of three women mayors
of the country’s 15 largest cities. San Francisco ranks No. 13 on the list. New York
City, Los Angeles and Philadelphia have never had a female mayor. There are five
African American women mayors in the 50 largest cities: Catherine Pugh, the mayor
of Baltimore, Latoya Cantrell – New Orleans, Keisha Lance Bottoms – Atlanta, and
Muriel Bowser – Washington, D.C. These inspirational, dynamic role models and other
African American women in politics have motivated and encourage others to join those
ranks.
Breed’s victory, her message, her tapestry is about hope, audacity, and possibilities. In
one of her speeches, she offered: “No matter where you come from, no matter what you
decide to do in life, you can do anything you want to do. Never let your circumstances
determine your outcome in life.” She joins other powerful African American women
across the nation, who have taken it upon themselves to impact their communities in the
most direct way possible.
Patricia Patterson, Guest Contributor, Reel Urban News. Pat is a business writer, storyteller and photographer, known for her colorful small business owner success stories, highlighting real-life journeys. A recognized local hero and community leader in Oakland, CA., she is founder/chair of the Allendale’s Network, newsletter editor, focused on building community, neighborhood watch, crime prevention & emergency preparedness. Website: www.pattersonbiz.com, pat@pattersonbiz.com, https://twitter.com/PatPhotographer
Mayor London Breed Photos By: www.drewaltizer.com
