Borough mayor since last November, Montrealer Gracia Kasoki Katahwa wants to work with the opposition to change the tone in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and she hopes that her career can inspire the next generation.
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“I grew up having few examples of people like me in leadership positions. I think it’s absolutely necessary to be able to project yourself into roles like these,” explains Ms.me Katahwa adding that such examples are “essential”.
Born in Congo, Mme Katahwa arrived in Quebec at an early age, her parents settling in the national capital. After completing a bachelor’s degree at Laval University, she moved to the metropolis, ending up in the Côte-des-Neiges district.
In the fall, she created a surprise by winning the mayoralty of this same borough, defeating outgoing mayor Sue Montgomery as well as the former leader of Ensemble Montreal, Lionel Perez. A surprise all the greater since his opponent had initially been declared the winner.
Upon taking office, Mr.me Katahwa became the first black woman elected as borough mayor. She now hopes to be able to inspire the young people who will one day take over.
“I will always be ready to discuss my background, so that they can be inspired, as I have done with other people. I used the inspiration I received from other journeys to establish my own life,” she reveals.
In his view, it is essential that young people have role models they can identify with, so that they can reach their full potential. “It’s extremely important, and it’s something that people from the majority may not always be aware of,” said Ms.me Katahwa.
“When you grow up, and you feel like there is no example of leaders who look like you, you internalize the fact that it is not possible for us”, adds- she.
She herself recalls in this regard her hiring in a management position at the CIUSSS de l’Ouest. “It was the first time in my life that I had a person on top of me who was a black woman. I was emotional when I took office,” she recalls.
Now elected, she is trying somehow to find her bearings in her new role, despite the sometimes complex procedures.
She indicates that she wants to collaborate with the opposition, which holds two seats in the borough, as well as with the public service. During the last borough council, the elected officials all seemed enthusiastic. A change of tone, while the last few years have been chaotic.
“I was asked a few times to get into politics. I had said no each time, because I wanted to be convinced that my presence was going to contribute in a different way to improving an element of society, ”she confides, believing that, this time, the conditions were met.
Is that his curriculum vitae is filled. Before entering politics, Mr.me Katahwa has notably sat on the boards of directors of the Order of Nurses, Force Jeunesse and the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Montreal. Experiences that she believes prepared her for politics.
She believes that her social involvement allows her to better “understand the grievances” of community organizations in the field. Mme Katahwa made a point of illustrating it at the beginning of the month, when she temporarily resumed her role as a nurse to support a temporary vaccination clinic set up at the Saint-Raymond Community Center.
One of Gracia Kasoki Katahwa’s first challenges will first be to make herself known to her citizens, especially since she only won by a hundred votes, believes Marvin Rotrand.
Retired from politics since last November, he represented the residents of the borough for nearly 40 years.
“Moving to the borough would be a good idea to start with. It is difficult for people to have a sense of belonging to the mayor, if she does not live on the territory, ”he analyzes. Mme Katahwa currently resides in the borough of Mercier – Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.
The former elected official believes that the opportunity is right to improve the climate at city hall, after the last two years have been marked by legal sagas involving former mayor Sue Montgomery.
“The squabbles that we experienced no longer exist. There is an opportunity to restart collegiality. I hope that the two parties will do it”, added Mr. Rotrand. He believes, in this regard, that Mr.me Katahwa will have to find a way to work with the opposition in his district and make sure their demands are heard.
“The borough provides direct services to the population. It’s better when the elected officials work together, ”said Mr. Rotrand, who said he was convinced that the majority of the files could be unanimous.
Reference-www.tvanouvelles.ca