“Today you did more than make history, you created a movement for change.”
Chicago just made history by electing its first ever black female and openly gay leader of the city.
American politician Lori Lightfoot defeated her opponent, Toni Preckwinkle yesterday (2 April) and will take office on 20 May.
Throughout her campaign, Lightfoot vowed to prioritise mental health services, tackle racial disparities, gun crime, improve public safety, advance arts and culture and support LGBTQ youth in the city.
Shortly after her victory, Lightfoot told the crowd at her campaign celebration that she wants to remake Chicago.
“Now that it’s over I know that we will work together for the city that we both love,” she said. “Today you did more than make history, you created a movement for change. Now we’re going to take the next steps together.
“Together we can and will finally put the interests of our people, all of our people, against the interests of a powerful few.”
She passionately added: “Out there tonight a lot of little girls and boys are watching. They’re watching us. And they’re seeing the beginning of something, well, a little bit different.
“They’re seeing a city reborn. A city where it doesn’t matter what color you are. Where it doesn’t matter who you love, just as long as you love with all your heart.”
Stephanie Sandberg, executive producer of LPAC, an organisation that aims to help LGBTQ women in politics, praised Lightfoot’s victory.
“Now young queer women and women of colour can see themselves reflected in a position of major political leadership,” she said.
Lightfoot joins several other black women who have recently been elected to high-profile mayoral office in the United States, including Atlanta, New Orleans and San Francisco.
She will succeed Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who previously served President Barack Obama as his chief of staff.
Watch Lori Lightfoot’s victory speech below.
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