Results of local races show the emerging force of women

In 1977 Virginia Newell and Vivian Burke made history when they became the first women elected to the Winston-Salem Board of Alderman (now City Council). Fast forward 47 years to 2024 where five of the eight seats, the East Ward, North Ward, South Ward, Northeast Ward, and the Northwest Ward will soon be held by women –  Black women. Many of the seats on the city council were decided in the primary election earlier this year, which means many of the candidates ran unopposed in the 2024 general election. Incumbents Denise “DD” Adams (D), who represents the North Ward, Annette Scippio (D), who represents  the East Ward, Barbara Burke (D) who represents the Northeast Ward,  and James Taylor (D) who represents the Southeast Ward, all ran unopposed. Scott Andree-Bowen (D), who will represent the Southwest Ward, also ran unopposed. Andree-Bowen’s seat was previously held by Councilmember Kevin Mundy who decided not to seek re-election.  The seats that gave women the majority on the council were in the South and Northwest Wards.  Although she’s a newcomer to the council, Vivian Joiner also ran unopposed in the general election. In the primary Election, Joiner finished with 35% of the total vote, which...