The first full week of Mayor Sharon Owens’ administration is underway following an inauguration ceremony over the weekend. The occasion underscored the historical significance of her election as Syracuse’s first Black mayor.
Syracuse City Court Judge Staci Dennis-Taylor made it official in front of hundreds gathered at the Landmark Theater Saturday by swearing-in Owens as the city’s 55th mayor.
The 90-minute ceremony also featured speakers who made their own history. Letitia James is the state’s first Black and first female attorney general.
“You made history as the second woman elected as mayor, and as the first Black woman ever elected as mayor," James said. "But like me, making history means nothing if you don't do anything with the power that the people have given to you.”
James has become well-known for challenging President Trump in court over everything from his executive orders to his family's business practices. That's made her a frequent target of Trump, who recently failed in his efforts to prosecute her on legally dubious mortgage fraud charges.
Kathy Hochul is New York’s first female governor. And like Owens, Hochul fell in love with Syracuse when she arrived on the Syracuse University campus at age 18.
“I see now that this great city that I love so much is in the hands of a woman who shares the same passion and the belief and the possibilities of every little child born here," Hochul said. "And she's dedicated her life to that.”
Owens said she hopes her election to the city's top post serves as an inspiration to little girls of color.
“To every one of you young people who has been told you don't have the experience, who has been called an underdog, who has been told that certain dreams are beyond your reach. Hear me clearly: There is nothing beyond your reach," Owens said. "Your mayor is living proof of that fact.”
Owens acknowledged the persistent challenges of poverty and affordable housing, while also seeing opportunities to address them. She said the removal of the I-81 viaduct is one path.
“That is not just a construction project. That is a healing project to rebuild the former 15th Ward, not as it was, but as it should have been," she said. "We want to create housing and green space and economic opportunity on land that has been scarred by the interstate for 60 years.”
Perhaps the most poignant moment was when Owen’s ailing 81-year-old mother, Pastor Ester Daniels, delivered the closing prayer.
“I just want to say to my daughter, mama's proud," she said to sustained applause. "I tell ya, I won't forget this night. Even though I don't feel good, I feel good enough for this."
Owens held her head in her hand and began crying as she stood with her husband behind her mother’s wheelchair. She then leaned over and embraced her mother.
