For the first time, a woman is set to lead the City of Detroit. Mary Sheffield is a 38-year old Black woman and the Detroit city council president. 

Becoming mayor, she’ll have a much brighter spotlight flashing on her. So how significant is Sheffield’s win? And, what kinds of things might she need to be concerned about that a man wouldn’t?

Raquel Constañeda-Lopez served on Detroit City council at the same time as Sheffield. She runs an organization called Restorative Democracy, which supports women of color who hold public office. 

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