Women made waves in local elections here in St. Petersburg. A female supermajority is now in place on City Council following the November 2021 elections. In January, District 4 representative Lisset Hanewicz became the first Hispanic elected to City Council as she was sworn in on the steps of City Hall. Hanewicz took over the seat left by Darden Rice.

Council Chair Gina Driscoll also ran a successful campaign in District 6, as did Vice Chair Brandi Gabbard. In total, 5 of the 8 city council seats are occupied by women:

District 2: Brandi Gabbard

District 4: Lisset Hanewicz

District 5: Deborah Figgs-Sanders

District 6: Gina Driscoll

District 7: Lisa Wheeler Bowman

City Council welcomes Deputy Mayor Stephanie Owens

St. Petersburg’s Deputy Mayor Stephanie Owens has also filled in the role formerly served by Dr. Kanika Tomalin. Tomalin now serves as the inaugural COO of Eckerd College, and is working to expand Eckerd’s relationship with the city of St. Petersburg.

The very first women’s rights convention in the U.S. took place in Seneca Falls, New York back in 1848. In 1866, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was the first woman to run for the U.S. House of Representatives, even though she was not eligible to vote. And in 1887, Susanna Salter was elected mayor of Argonia, Kansas, the first female Mayor in US history.

Currently in Florida, women hold just 31.4% of municipal office seats, according to research done by American Women and Politics and KnowWho Data Services.

Women continue to win elections across the United States

As of May  2021, per CAWP research and population data from the U.S. Census, of the 1,621 mayors and officials who perform mayoral functions of U.S. cities, towns, and minor civil divisions with populations over 30,000, 407, or 25.1%, were women. 

Of the 31 women mayors in the top 100 most populous cities as of January 2022, 7 are Black women, 3 are Latina, and 4 are Asian American/Pacific Islander women, according to research by CAWP.

The Sunshine City is one of inclusivity and opportunity. After being sworn in, Lisset Hanewicz posted the following on Facebook:

“Today under a beautiful St. Pete sky I placed my hand on my mama’s bible, with my husband and daughter by my side, along with family and friends watching as I took the oath to become the St. Petersburg City Council Member for District 4 – the same oath taken today by Gina Driscoll, Chair, Brandi Gabbard Kunard, Vice-Chair, who were re-elected and new council members, Richie Floyd and Copley Gerdes.”

Historic swearing in ceremony at City Hall

Hanewicz continued, “I could not help but think about my mother who recently passed away and how she so much appreciated the freedoms that she gained in our country that do not exist in Cuba. I look forward to serving District 4 and the City of St. Petersburg.”

Gina Driscoll shared words of optimism ahead of king sworn in as Council Chair:

“I will be sworn in as the Chair of City Council for this year. My friend and colleague Brandi Gabbard also will be sworn in for her second term, and as Vice Chair of City Council. Joining us to be sworn in will be newly elected Council Members Copley Gerdes, Lisset Hanewicz, and Richie Floyd. These three leaders will bring their own superpowers of fresh insight and unique perspectives to the dais as we move our city forward together. After the City Council ceremony, we will witness and celebrate the swearing-in of our new Mayor, Ken Welch. I am fully confident that with his leadership and guidance, St. Pete’s best days are ahead. Reflecting. Smiling. Optimism renewed.”