St. Paul's All-Women City Council Shapes History by Just Being
Top, from left, Nelsie Yang, Rebecca Noecker, Cheniqua Johnson, Hwa Jeong Kim; Bottom, from left, Saura Jost, Anika Bowie, Mitra Jalali.
Visual Credit: Courtesy Saint Paul City Council
In a move that goes beyond mere headlines, St. Paul, Minnesota, recently etched its name in history by swearing in the first all-female city council for a city its size in the United States. The newly appointed city council consisting of seven women, all under the age of 40 and representing a range of ethnicities has thrust the city into national spotlight. This isn’t just a local affair—it’s a milestone underscoring the urgency of dismantling gender and racial disparities in political leadership.
While the headlines celebrate this achievement as a triumph for gender equality, the significance of this milestone goes far beyond mere representation. It calls on us to explore the complex intersections of diverse narratives and the promise of complex solutions that these women bring to the table. Traditionally, the political arena has been dominated by a narrow demographic, often straight, white men above the age of 50, but St. Paul’s move has challenged this status quo. According to the Center for Women and Politics at Rutgers University, a mere 32 percent of municipal officeholders nationwide are women. More specifically, in Minnesota women make up 35 percent of the municipal office holders in cities with over 10,000 people, tying the state with Michigan for 16th place in percentage of women in Municipal Office among the 50 states, going down from 14th in the previous year. Alaska and Arizona have the highest proportions of women in municipal office at 45 percent and North Dakota has the lowest sitting at a mere 20 percent.
The fact that just over 30 percent of municipal officeholders in the U.S. are women, combined with the even more concerning underrepresentation of women of colour, emphasizes the groundbreaking nature of St. Paul’s achievement. However, what sets this council apart is not just its composition, but the explicit acknowledgement of the responsibility that comes with their position. The newly elected council, consisting of all Democrats, includes three incumbents—Mitra Jalali, the council’s new president; Rebecca Noecker, and Nelsie Yang—as well as four newcomers: Anika Bowie, Cheniqua Johnson, Hwa Jeong Kim, and Saura Jost. Their priorities, ranging from affordable housing to childcare and efficient snow removal, reflect a commitment to addressing real, tangible issues faced by their constituents.
Council woman Johnson, a lifelong Minnesotan, proud first generation homeowner and former congressional staffer for the Minnesota Attorney General, carries with her the struggles of coming from a racialized, working-class family. Her experience brings an understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities, fostering policies that address the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status in a ward where over 60 percent of the population is Black, Indigenous, Hmong, Somali, and Latinx. On the other side of the spectrum, Councilwoman Jost, a civil engineer and first time mom, offers insights into the world of infrastructure. Her priorities include ensuring that all residents have safe and affordable housing, clean and reliable transportation options, infrastructure that will last far into the future, and early childhood and childcare options for working families.
This diverse set of backgrounds creates a dynamic space for the emergence of complex solutions. The complexities of modern issues demand an approach that goes beyond the conventional, and this council is poised to deliver just that. The amalgamation of different life experiences and personal backgrounds sparks innovation for change, leading to solutions that will resonate with the multifaceted needs of their communities. However, this isn’t just about St. Paul. It’s about the future of politics—bold, inclusive, and unapologetically diverse. The complex solutions envisioned by St. Paul’s all women city council extends beyond the immediate challenges facing the city. They lay the groundwork for a transformative shift in the way politics is conducted, paving the way for a more holistic and empathetic approach to governance.
The question now isn’t whether this all-women city council can deliver on its promises; it’s about recognizing that they’re already reshaping the narrative. This is not just history in the making; it’s a stance, a bold declaration that women are not just a part of the political conversation—they are steering it towards a future where diversity is the norm, not the exception. St. Pauls’s journey is not just a local story; it’s a worldwide one that demands attention, celebration, and emulsion as we collectively strive towards a political landscape that truly reflects the rich tapestry of our society.
It’s refreshing to see real people in office, even if it’s just at the municipal level.
Allie (she/her) is a third-year Political Studies student and one of Political Digest’s Editors-in-Chief.
