It’s official. The city of Poughkeepsie’s first Black female mayor’s term in office has begun.
Yvonne Flowers made history in achieving the feat, becoming the first African American to hold the mayoral position in the city’s 224-year history.
“I want to thank my family, friends and supporters for going on this historic journey with me,” Flowers told Essence. “I am about to take the mantle and begin the earnest work to push the City of Poughkeepsie to its true potential and to unify our city.”
She further expressed that a large part of her win was because of the overwhelming support she received from the city during her campaign days. It was “our village,” she said” who “helped me become the person I am today, and it will be our village that will help this city thrive.”
She continued: “I recognize there is a lot of work to do, and I am calling on members of the community to join me in this work and to understand that change can’t happen overnight, but progress can — and will — be made if we each do our part to help nurture the city we love.”
Before becoming mayor, the 57-year-old Poughkeepsie native served as the city’s 5th Ward Councilwoman where she served as the Co-Chair of the Procedural Justice Committee in the City of Poughkeepsie, contributing to the enhancement of community-police relations and playing a key role in the development of the City of Poughkeepsie Police Reform Plan. She also collaborated with Dutchess County Habitat for Humanity and Hudson River Housing to promote home ownership and actively participated in the City of Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet, working towards establishing a robust framework of impactful services for children and their families. She is an alumna of Poughkeepsie City School District and a graduate of Dutchess Community College.
“I stand before you as a proud product of Poughkeepsie,” she said shortly after the victorious win. “A true Poughkeepsie pioneer. It is our village that has helped me become the person I am today and it will be our village that will help our city thrive. Through our collective efforts together we will help make Poughkeepsie a safer and clean city for all residents,” she said. “It is time for us to diminish the north side-southside divide in our city.”
Congratulations, Mayor Flowers!
