Jo Ann Hardesty Sworn In, Portland City Commission Majority Women

PORTLAND, OR – History arrived at the Portland City Council on Wednesday in the form of Jo Ann Hardesty. Elected in November, Hardesty is the first woman of color to serve on the council.

She is also only the third black member of the council in its history.

Hardesty's swearing in also means that for the first time ever, women make up the majority of the Portland City Council.

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Mayor Tel Wheeler says it is a "historic day for the city."

Hardesty defeated Loretta Smith in November in the first Portland race between two women of color.

She is a Navy veteran, president of the Portland chapter of the NAACP, and the executive director of Oregon Action.

Hardesty also spent six years in the Oregon House of Representatives.

Photo via Mayor Ted Wheeler.