Ciara Smith, who had been serving as vice mayor of Anniston, Alabama, is making historical past. Smith, now elected as mayor, is the youngest individual to be elected at age 26, WBRC reported. She can also be the primary Black girl to be elected to the submit of mayor.
Spelman School alumna served as vice mayor for 5 years and was appointed as mayor in Might after the resignation of Jack Draper. She needed to run for election this month and confronted 4 challengers to be able to be elected to a full, four-year-term, per the Anniston Star. Within the election, she received over half the votes, thus avoiding a runoff.
After her historic appointment, Smith mentioned she is pleased with breaking limitations, however she additionally doesn’t need her achievements to be seen as one thing stunning. In an article from Jacksonville State College, the place she received her Grasp’s diploma, Smith mentioned she could also be “the one who shattered the glass ceiling, however there have been some individuals who beat on it for me to get right here.”
What Ciara Smith says about turning into mayor
“There are individuals who didn’t make it so far,” Smith added. “So, I need to acknowledge that, sure, I’m a lady, and sure, I’m the youngest, however I’m additionally extraordinarily educated and intensely certified. It’s an honorable feeling, however there’s additionally the sensation that that is what I’m presupposed to be doing.”
She says the official election doesn’t really feel a lot totally different.
“At this stage, I don’t really feel the distinction as a result of that is the work that I like to do,” she mentioned. “That is the work that I’ve been doing repeatedly.”
How did Ciara Smith ascend to her historic place as mayor of Anniston?
Smith first labored within the Metropolis of Anniston’s Monetary Division at age 16. A yr later, she graduated from Anniston Excessive College and began attending Spelman School, the place she campaigned for former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Smith additionally interned for Congressman Hank Johnson, who nominated her to affix the Congressional Black Caucus Institute coaching boot camp in Washington, D.C., and assist her increase her community. In 2020, Smith grew to become a Council member for the third Ward, turning into the youngest elected official within the historical past of Anniston. At age 21, Smith rose to her position as vice mayor.
“I’ve all the time needed to battle for my place, not simply on this capability, however my whole life,” Smith informed Jacksonville State College. “This has been a studying expertise for me, and what I inform younger individuals – all individuals, actually – is, for those who don’t like one thing, and also you don’t like the best way that it’s headed, place your self to make it higher.”
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