The Metro: The pressures of being a first
How significant is Sheffield’s win for women in Detroit? And, what kinds of things might she need to be concerned about that a man wouldn’t?
Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield joins The Metro live at WDET Studios, July 16, 2025.
For the first time, a woman is mayor-elect for the City of Detroit.
Mary Sheffield is a 38-year old Black woman and the current Detroit City Council President. In becoming mayor, she’ll have a much brighter spotlight flashing on her. And many agree that that light, because of her gender, will carry scrutiny that Mayor Duggan never had to face.
Notably, Detroit already has many women leading organizations and departments across the city. So how significant is Sheffield’s win? And, what kinds of things might she need to be concerned about that a man wouldn’t?
To discuss all this now, we have Raquel Constañeda-Lopez served on Detroit City Council at the same time as Sheffield. Now she runs an organization called Restorative Democracy, which supports women of color who hold public office.
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