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SUFFOLK, Virginia — Ebony Wright was sworn in as a Suffolk City Council Member during a ceremony held in council chambers on Thursday, Jan. 2., marking the first time a Black woman will hold the position. It is also the first time two women will serve concurrently on the council. Wright took her oath with her hand on her late sister’s Bible, in tribute to her late sister’s “legacy of advocacy, love, and commitment to service.” Wright took the oath of office along with fellow council members Lue Ward and LeOtis Williams and Mayor Mike Duman.

Wright said she is deeply honored to be the first black woman elected to serve on the Suffolk City Council, noting the “moment reflects the progress of our city and honors the perseverance and sacrifices of those who came before me.”

The U.S. Navy veteran says this historical moment, in Suffolk’s history, is “my greatest honor.”

During her speech, Wright expressed her appreciation to the people who supported her candidacy, from her family and church to her parents and husband, Warren, who Wright calls her anchor. She also said her children motivate her to “build a city where all future generations can thrive and flourish without limits.”

Wright said she is “committed to a vision of leadership grounded in honor, integrity, and service,” and she “looks forward to collaborating” with her fellow council members “to build a city that continues to thrive.” 

Wright also tipped her cap to her predecessor, Roger Fawcett.

“To my predecessor, thank you for 12 years of faithful service to this city,” Wright said. “Veteran to veteran, shipmate to shipmate, shipmate, I now assume the watch.”

Immediately following the Oath of Office Ceremony, the mayor and council convened for a reorganization meeting, where they were tasked with appointing the next vice mayor.

In her first official vote, Wright voted in favor of appointing Leroy Bennett the next vice mayor, the motion, however, failed 4-4, with John Rector, Ward, Williams and Duman voting in opposition. 

Wright said she was “very nervous” casting her first vote. 

After another motion to appoint Williams vice mayor failed 3-5, with Bennett, Shelly Butler-Barlow, Johnson, Rector and Wright in opposition, the council ultimately voted to re-appoint Ward as Suffolk’s vice mayor in a vote of 6-2, with Bennett and Wright in opposition.

 

Wright’s first full meeting will take place on Jan. 15.