HomeLearning CenterDetroit’s Youngest City Council President Empowers Black Women To “Lead From Where They Are”

Detroit’s Youngest City Council President Empowers Black Women To “Lead From Where They Are”

Mary Sheffield became the youngest person ever to be electedto the Detroit City Council in 2013 at just 26 years old. At the start of 2022, she again made history when she was elected and took her oath of office as the youngest City Council President in Detroit.

In a recent interview with Black Life, Arts & Culture (BLAC), the history-making politician shared details about her eight years of service to the city, her goals as President of Detroit’s City Council, and how she uses self-empowerment to lead and inspire.

“I came in at 26, so I compared myself a lot, and I realized that comparison is a thief of joy. You have to lead from where you are,” Sheffield said.

Councilwoman Sheffield said that being an elected official in Detroit is challenging, especially as one of the youngest ever to do it and representing so many people in the city. But she has met the responsibility head-on and worked to maintain accessibility and transparency.

“It’s really just making sure that I set a tone of integrity and being an example for young African American women — to show that you should never let age stop you from your dreams,” she told BLAC.

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