BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — It's International Women's Day -- and this year, the festivities come as the city of Boston sees a watershed moment in it's political history.
Female candidates are dominating the race to replace Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who is expected to resign in the coming weeks to serve as President Joe Biden's U.S. Secretary of Labor.
Boston City Councilor-At-Large and Mayoral Candidate Michelle Wu said the Covid-19 pandemic has especially highlighted how many inequities persist in the city of Boston and the United States.
"We are in a moment of crisis that has revealed how much of the often invisible costs are on the shoulders of women and mothers and caregivers in our society," Wu said.
Wu is the first Taiwanese American and first Asian American woman to serve on the Boston City Council. She added that at this point in the city's history, we are seeing a "transformation of what's possible in Boston and around the country --- if we truly invest in our community."
Boston City Councilor and Mayoral Candidate Andrea Campbell, who represents District 4, said having more women running for office is a major step towards creating change.
"Women are transforming politics and transforming the world," Campbell said. "And that is happening of course in the city of Boston as we see more women entering politics and taking over other critical leadership roles -- which is important."
In January of 2018, Campbell became the first Black woman to serve as Boston City Council President, later succeeded by current Council President Kim Janey, who is also a Black woman.
Boston City Councilor-At-Large and Mayoral Candidate Annissa Essaibi George said it would be great to be the first elected female mayor of the city, but addressing the issues is the most important part of the job.
"[It's about] understanding the world that is left undone -- that we need to get to and get to quickly," she said.
Essaibi George is a lifelong Boston resident and former Boston Public Schools teacher. She has been serving on the council since her swearing-in back in 2016.
The Boston mayoral election is currently set to take place on November 2, 2021. In the meantime, City Council President Kim Janey will serve as acting mayor of Boston, becoming the first woman and first Black person to ever hold the title.
The other declared non-female candidates running for the mayoral post include Massachusetts State Representative Jon Santiago, Boston Chief of Economic Development John Barros and political newcomer and hotel manager Dana Depelteau.
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports.
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Written by Rachel Armany
(Photo: Getty Images)