BUFFALO, N.Y. — As of Monday afternoon, the Masten and Ellicott Districts in Buffalo are now represented by Zeneta Everhart and Leah Halton-Pope.
The women were sworn in Monday at Buffalo City Hall.
Halton-Pope worked for Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes' office. Everhart worked for State Senator Tim Kennedy's office and also became a strong advocate for victims and survivors of gun violence after her son was shot on May 14, 2022.
For the first time in ten years, the Buffalo Common Council will have women serving on it. New York State Attorney General Letitia James spoke at both ceremonies.
"I also want to say to the little girls, thank you, thank you for saying the pledge and it's important that everyone understand that if you can not see, you can not be. And it's important that these young girls see Leah in this position," said New York Attorney General Letitia James.
"It means we have a voice at the table and to be able to serve the Ellicott District, this new district that's so diverse and so broad, and to fill or at least walk in the next steps of former Council President Pridgen's footsteps is a big deal," said Common Councilmember Leah Halton-Pope.
Both women say their immediate goal is to meet with people in their districts.
"They have to be at the table, right? They have to help me. I don't have all the answers. I started this by telling people that. I don't have all the answers, but what I do have is a voice and a platform and I'm going to use it and I'm going to give it to anybody who needs it so that we can get the work done," said Common Councilmember Zeneta Everhart.
The Buffalo Common Council meets for the first time this year this Tuesday at 2 p.m. That's when members will decide who will be taking on leadership positions within the council.