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Jenny Durkan Becomes Seattle’s First Woman Mayor Since 1920s

The former attorney general was sworn into office Tuesday.

By Dan Shafer, Seattle Business Magazine November 29, 2017

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Jenny Durkan is now officially the mayor of Seattle.

The former U.S. Attorney for Western Washington was first sworn in at the Ethiopian Community Center. She’ll also visit the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, the Wing Luke Museum, the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Association and the Elliott Bay Public House and Brewery.

In a series of tweets at new account @MayorJenny, she said:

“I, Jenny A. Durkan, swear that I possess all the qualifications prescribed in the Seattle City Charter and the Seattle Municipal Code for the position of Mayor; that I will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Washington, and the Charter and Ordinances of The City of Seattle, and that I will faithfully conduct myself as Mayor. Thank you, Seattle – I am so proud and so honored to be able to serve the people of Seattle.

“I am here in Rainier Beach because I wanted to break tradition. To prove I will be a Mayor—not of city hall, but of the people. Our mission must be to make good on that promise that Bertha Knight Landes laid out: to make Seattle, that ‘larger home,’ a home for everyone. So while today I travel to many parts of our great city, we must remember Seattle is One City. And while even in each part of this great City we can often disagree, we must remember our common bonds and purpose are more powerful than our challenges. We are the city that invents the future—and there is no doubt in my mind that working together, we will continue to look out to the horizon and create that better future. Now. Let’s get to work!”

Miley Cyrus likely would have approved. See more video of the ceremonies via King 5.

See the full press release from Mayor Durkan below:

Jenny Durkan First Woman in Nearly a Century and First Lesbian Mayor of Seattle 

SEATTLE (November 28, 2017) – Pledging to tackle Seattle’s challenges of affordability, social and racial injustice, homelessness, and housing, Jenny A. Durkan was sworn in as Seattle’s 56th Mayor in a ceremony at the Ethiopian Community Center in Rainier Beach. U.S. District Court Judge Richard A. Jones administered the oath to Mayor Durkan.

“It is a great opportunity to serve as your Mayor; but with the honor comes a deep responsibility,” said Mayor Durkan. “Our challenges are real, but people across our City are ready to work together to tackle our shared challenges and seize the opportunities that will continue to make Seattle the great City we love. We are the place that invents the future — and there is no doubt in my mind that working together, we will continue to look out to the horizon and create that better future for the next generation.”

This story originally appeared in Seattle Business Magazine.

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