Making history: Karen Bass takes oath of office as LA’s first female mayor – Daily Breeze
e-Edition
Get the latest news delivered daily!
Get the latest news delivered daily!
e-Edition
Trending:
Karen Bass is sworn in as mayor of Los Angeles by Vice President Kamala Harris as her daughter Yvette Luchuga holds the Bible during the inauguration in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Karen Bass is sworn in as mayor of Los Angeles by Vice President Kamala Harris as her daughter Yvette Luchuga holds the Bible during the inauguration in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Karen Bass is sworn in as mayor of Los Angeles by Vice President Kamala Harris as her daughter Yvette Luchuga holds the Bible during the inauguration in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Poet Amanda Gorman reads a poem during Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Poet Amanda Gorman finishes reading a poem during Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Stevie Wonder performs during Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Stevie Wonder performs during Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Karen Bass arrives to her mayoral inauguration in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Gov. Gavin Newsom attends Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration in Los Angeles at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Former Mayor Eric Garcetti attends Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration in Los Angeles at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rabbi Sharon Brous speaks during the invocation during Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
New City Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez takes a selfie as she attends Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration in Los Angeles at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
New City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez is introduced during Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration in Los Angeles at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration is held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
City Council President Paul Krekorian administers the oaths of office to incoming council members and reelected council members during Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Poet Sophie Szew reads a poem during Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mary Mary perform during Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration is held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration is held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Hamilton High School Chamber Choir performs during Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mayor Karen Bass gives her inaugural speech at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A heckler is removed as Mayor Karen Bass gives her inaugural speech at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mayor Karen Bass gives her inaugural speech at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
With a video screen of LA City Hall Mayor Karen Bass gives her inaugural speech at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Vice President Kamala Harris hugs Yvette Luchuga, Mayor Karen Bass’ daughter as Council President Paul Krekorian and Mayor Bass watch during Bass’ inauguration at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass, the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city, was sworn in by V.P. Kamala Harris. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Karen Bass’ mayoral inauguration is held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Bass is the 43rd mayor of L.A. and the first woman mayor of the city. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
First Black woman to serve as speaker of any state legislature. First woman elected mayor of Los Angeles. Most votes received by any mayoral candidate in L.A.’s history.
Mayor Karen Bass is no stranger to making history.
Related: Garcetti leaves office proud of achievements, but specter of homelessness looms
And on Sunday, Dec. 11, to mark the historic nature of her election to the city’s top post, Bass was ceremoniously sworn in to office by another official who shattered the glass ceiling – Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman, and first woman of color, to serve as the nation’s second-in-command. The first words Vice President Harris uttered after Bass repeated the oath of office was “Madame Mayor,” as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Bass, 69, who recently stepped down as a congresswoman, is now the 43rd mayor of L.A. – but only its first female mayor and second Black mayor in the city’s 241-year history.
In recognition of the historical significance of the moment, Bass started off her roughly 30-minute speech recognizing other female trailblazers in attendance, from Harris to Toni Atkins, the state’s first female Senate President pro Tempore, to Eleni Kounalakis, California’s first female lieutenant governor.
“Making history with each of you today is a monumental moment in my life and in Los Angeles,” Bass said. “The four of us – Californians, leaders, women.”
“And let’s not forget our all-female county Board of Supervisors,” she said to loud cheers.
Bass begins her term as mayor of the second-most populous city in the nation on Monday. On Sunday, she said she would start her first day as mayor at the city’s emergency operations center to declare a state of emergency to deal with the city’s out-of-control homeless crisis.
Throughout her speech, Bass, who has described herself as a coalition builder, called on Angelenos to “lock arms” to move the city forward.
To solve the homeless crisis she urged Angelenos to welcome new housing in all neighborhoods, saying, “We just cannot continue to overcrowd neighborhoods that are already overcrowded.” She also called on county officials to “lock arms” with the city to end homelessness.
“I was elected to lead, and lead I will do. But I am also asking you … to join me in moving our city forward,” she said, addressing the crowd.
In terms of the public’s concerns about rising crime and public safety, Bass acknowledged that while some neighborhoods want more police officers, others may not.
“What neighborhoods are asking for and what they need for safety is as diverse as our city,” she said.
Her administration will launch an Office of Community Safety whose workers will speak directly to residents and business owners in different neighborhoods to find out what they want, she said.
Sunday’s swearing-in was originally planned for the steps of City Hall but was moved indoors to L.A. Live’s Microsoft Theater in downtown L.A. due to the rain. Thousands packed the theater, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and members of Congress, some of whom flew in for the occasion.
In another first, albeit an unintended one, Bass noted that she was the first mayor to not hold her inauguration ceremony at City Hall. But in a nod to tradition, organizers of the event projected an image of the City Hall steps as the stage’s backdrop.
Sunday’s ceremony featured musical performances by the likes of Stevie Wonder and Mary Mary, as well as students from Hamilton High School, Bass’ alma mater. The event also featured a poem read by Amanda Gorman, the first National Youth Poet Laureate who was born and raised in L.A.
The ceremony was briefly interrupted by a protester who ran onto a nearby stage early on in Bass’ speech, but he was escorted away by security as Bass’ supporters chanted her name.
Neither the interruption by the protester, nor Sunday’s rain, seemed to dampen the spirits of those in attendance.
Felicia Banks-Ali brought her 15-year-old daughter and 12-year-old niece, saying it was important for them to witness history.
“For generations, women of color, African American women, we have always instilled in our daughters the legacy, the successes and the importance of other African American women,” Banks-Ali said. “There was no way I would miss this and no way I would allow my girls to miss this.”
Italy Clark, Banks-Ali’s niece, admitted she didn’t know much about Bass before Sunday, but as she learned more about her accomplishments in breaking gender and racial barriers, the more inspired she became.
“I’m excited to see what she can really do,” she said.
Moorisha Bey-Taylor, who serves on the board of Black Women Lawyers of Los Angeles, said that as a young Black professional, she, too, finds Bass inspiring.
“I have my own political aspirations,” the 36-year-old said. “So seeing her on the stage today made that (aspiration) feel all the more real, all that more tangible.”
To be sure, people were in a celebratory mood Sunday. But once the dust settles, there is much work ahead for the new mayor.
Bass assumes office at a time when there is mounting pressure for city leaders to get a handle on L.A.’s homeless crisis, crime, and public safety concerns ahead of playing host to the 2028 Summer Olympic Games – when L.A. will be placed on the international stage – and as the region’s housing affordability issue continues to weigh heavy on many Angelenos. She recently tapped Chris Thompson, a recent executive on the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as her chief of staff.
The new mayor is also coming on board at a time of great political unrest, with demands from the public that Councilmember Kevin de León resign due to his role in a racism-and-redistricting scandal. The fallout from that scandal turned violent in recent days, with de León and a community activist accusing each other of assault.
And while she’s a Democrat in a city known as a liberal bastion, Bass may nevertheless be tested in her new role by a City Council that, starting this week, will include two more progressive leaders whose politics are considered further left than Bass’. Extreme leftist activists have increasingly been flexing their political muscles in recent years, in some cases ousting incumbents and voting in candidates that share their views.
It remains to be seen how Bass, viewed as a more middle-of-the-road pragmatist compared to some of her party’s more progressive leaders, will fare with the newly reconstituted council, where at least three of the 15 councilmembers are supported by Democratic Socialists of America.
Joel Fox, an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy, said Bass, a Democrat, has had experience reaching across the aisle to work with Republicans, both in the California state Assembly and in Congress and he believes she’ll be able to broker agreements, though it won’t be easy.
“I think there will be some aggressive members of the council who will push her as far as they can. They will be backed by some activists,” Fox said. “How she will get the majority of the council to support her, I think, will be an interesting test. If the pragmatic Karen Bass is the mayor, she can probably wrestle up the votes she’ll need. But it will be a battle.”
One of Bass’ first tests, he said, may be the debate over cleaning up homeless encampments. Earlier this year, the council voted to ban homeless encampments near schools and daycare centers – a policy supported by Bass but which has been lambasted by some community activists.
“She wants to take people off of the streets,” Fox said. “Activists are very firm on how she does that, and now they have allies on the council.”
On the issue of gender and race, one professor said research shows that women, and women of color, lead differently.
“Though the average Angeleno may not care whether Karen Bass is a woman, I think they will see a difference in how she leads,” said Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, a political science and gender studies professor at the University of Southern California.
For example, she said, Bass tried to be clear on the campaign trail when she acknowledged that L.A.’s homelessness problems won’t be fully resolved in four years.
“She was very transparent about managing people’s expectations. She didn’t make wild promises,” said Hancock Alfaro, adding that it’s not that women don’t take risks, but that they’re more likely to take calculated risks.
Bass’ opponent in the mayoral race, developer Rick Caruso, had criticized her for not being ambitious enough with her plan for addressing homelessness.
Hancock Alfaro also noted that immediately after news broke in October of a leaked 2021 audio that captured de León and two other council members along with a labor leader in a backroom conversation discussing potential ways to manipulate the city’s redistricting process — and during which racist comments were made — Bass convened a diverse group of civic leaders to develop an action plan for moving the city forward.
Caruso had issued a statement condemning the incident but did not convene a similar group, said Hancock Alfaro, who added that she wasn’t criticizing either candidate’s response but noting a difference in leadership style. Research, she said, shows women tend to demonstrate a more collaborative style.
Before entering politics in 2005, Bass founded Community Coalition in 1990 in response to the crack-cocaine epidemic of that era. The South L.A.-based organization works to address poverty, crime and violence, and Bass has said her work there often involved bringing together Black and Latino residents to resolve issues facing the community.
After years as an activist, Bass entered politics, serving in the California state Assembly from 2005 to 2010. She made history in 2008 when she was named Assembly speaker, becoming the first Black woman in the nation to hold that title in any state legislature.
Bass next was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2011 to represent parts of L.A.
Despite a long career in politics, Bass has never worked in City Hall.
But outgoing Mayor Eric Garcetti — whose legacy Bass described as “large” during her speech — said recently he has faith that Angelenos elected the right candidate for the job.
Despite record spending by Caruso, a billionaire businessman who largely self-funded his $104 million-plus campaign, Bass handily defeated her opponent in what many once thought would be a close race. According to the L.A. County registrar’s office, Bass ultimately won with 509,944 votes (54.83% of the votes) while Caruso received 420,030 votes (45.17%).
Given her experience in the California Assembly and in Congress, Bass was largely viewed as the establishment candidate, winning endorsements from President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, in addition to the vice president of the United States.
In an interview Friday, Garcetti, who had refrained from endorsing either mayoral candidate before the Nov. 8 general election, admitted he voted for Bass to succeed him and that he had encouraged her to run in the past.
His advice to her now?
“Stay you. Be authentic. Let people get to know who you are,” he said.
“Learn how to share power,” he added. “I think that’s instinctive for her.”
We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.
Get the latest news delivered daily!
Copyright © 2022 MediaNews Group
