Former Congresswoman Barbara Lee officially became the 52nd mayor of Oakland during a swearing in ceremony at City Hall on May 20.
Lee, 78, was introduced by a pairing of business and labor — Barbara Leslie, CEO of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and Keith Brown, executive secretary-treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council. Leslie said their sharing the podium showed that Lee “is committed to leading our city with everyone and for everyone.” Keith added that union workers are committed to supporting Lee as she tries to ensure Oakland is safe, vibrant and equitable, “a city where business can grow and working families can thrive.”
In her first official address, Lee talked about her ambitious 100-day plan to get the city on track financially and on all other fronts, through working groups and community forums. And she expounded on her love for Oakland — “a city that gave me hope, a Mills College education, a loving and safe neighborhood, neighborhoods, to raise my son, and the support to represent the people as your assembly member, your state senator, your congresswoman and now as your mayor.”
Speaking for 16 minutes to a full council chamber, Lee talked about instilling hope and safety, addressing homelessness and boosting the economy, and supporting young people, seniors and artists. She also recalled her personal history as the great-granddaughter of slaves, whose father was a Korean War veteran and mother was among the first Black students to integrate the University of Texas at El Paso. Her parents, Lee said, were denied an opportunity to buy a home in San Leandro because of redlining. “Little did my parents know then, that I would end up representing San Leandro for three decades in Congress,” she said…