Role model, history maker and mayor — being Mayor of Alexandria is more than just chairing meetings. On Wednesday (April 2), Mayor Alyia Gaskins was honored with a party by her peers as the first Black female mayor of the city.
The event, which wasn’t a fundraiser, was held at Junction Bakery & Bistro (1508 Mount Vernon Avenue) in Del Ray, and was organized by City Council Member Jacinta Greene, retired Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, and Monika Chapman.
“I’m a strong believer in giving people their flowers for great accomplishments that they deserve,” Greene said. “She’s a phenomenal leader. She’s inclusive. She makes sure that every voice is heard on the council. She’s always positive and comes with a solution to a problem, and you need that in leadership.”
Lawnhorne said that Gaskins should be recognized in the light of the current political atmosphere in Washington.
“It’s important for us to recognize women who step forward,” Lawhorne said, “who have courage and strength to want to run and lead. We need to do our part to support them every way we can.”
Other notables in attendance included Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, City Council Member R. Kirk McPike, Sheriff Sean Casey, City Attorney Cheran Ivery, Del Ray’s Gayle Reuter, and Campagna Center CEO Tammy Mann.
Gaskins said she appreciated the celebration, and that diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental values for a Democracy.
“I never thought I would be living at a time when we would be questioning values like diversity, equity and inclusion,” she said. “Things that I believe, not only are the values that I hold, but are fundamental to our beliefs as a Democracy, a country and a type of values of community I know Alexandria wants to be, but also I hope our country would espouse.”
Gaksins took office in January and said that the responsibility of being mayor is far-reaching.
“I feel a deep sense of responsibility that every little girl in the city knows that their voice matters,” Gaskins said. “For me, I’m not going to stop living my purpose or run from the values that I believe so many others hold. I’m going to continue to work to build bridges and relationships, and keep those values at the forefront.”
