For first time in history, women are a majority on Los Angeles City Council

For the first time in the history of the Los Angeles City Council, women make up the majority of its 15-member body.

Ysabel Jurado, who ousted embattled incumbent Kevin de León in last month’s election to represent Council District 14 on the Eastside, participated in her first meeting as a sitting council member on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Her addition to the council brings to eight the number of women on the L.A. City Council.

Jurado, who was a tenant rights attorney, is also the first Filipino American on the council and the first woman elected to represent Council District 14, the city clerk’s office confirmed. In addition, Jurado is the only openly queer member on the council currently, her staff said.

On Tuesday, Jurado announced a neighborhood listening tour her first 100 days in office, outlining plans to meet with constituents from throughout the district to help shape her policy agenda.

“As I begin my first 100 days in office, I remain deeply committed to delivering on the promises I made during my campaign – to bring true co-governance, fix our streets, and advance a safer District 14 for all our residents,” Jurado said in a statement.

“Lighting up our streets, prioritizing neighborhood safety and leading by listening are just the beginning of fulfilling these promises,” she said. “I will continue to work alongside the community and be responsive to needs, as we work together to create a district that works for all.”

Meanwhile, Councilmember Heather Hutt, who was appointed to the City Council in September 2022, was elected last month to her first full four-year term. That win makes her the first elected female council member for Council District 10, which stretches from Koreatown in Central L.A. to Baldwin Hills, the Crenshaw District and Leimert Park in South L.A. Hutt is also the only Black woman currently on the council.

Before joining the council, Hutt served as the first Black U.S. Senate State Director in California’s history.

“It is truly an honor to know that the people of my community have put their trust in me to lead them on our City Council,” Hutt said in a statement.

In other firsts, newly elected Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, like Jurado, took part in his first council meeting as the elected representative for Council District 2 on Tuesday.

Nazarian formerly served in the Assembly for more than a decade. Before becoming a state lawmaker, Nazarian was chief of staff to then-Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, then became his chief of staff at City Hall when Krekorian was elected to the L.A. City Council.

Krekorian until recently represented Council District 2 but was termed out after 15 years and could not run again this year.

District 2 represents parts of east San Fernando Valley. The district includes North Hollywood, Studio City, Sun Valley, Toluca Lake, Valley Glen, Valley Village and Van Nuys.

Nazarian, Jurado and Hutt, plus four other council members who were reelected earlier this year – Nithya Raman, Imelda Padilla, Marqueece Harris-Dawson and John Lee – participated in a ceremonial swearing-in during Tuesday’s council meeting. Their new terms officially started the day before.

Two years ago, when the City Council had six women, that was a record-shattering moment for the governing body.

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez at the time called it “shameful” that only 23 women had ever been elected to the L.A. City Council up to that point. In December 2022, six of the 15 council seats – less than half – were occupied by women, and Rodriguez said, “we have a long way to go.”

On Tuesday, Rodriguez noted the historic moment as women make up the majority of the L.A. City Council for the first time.

“This achievement reflects the progress we have made as a city in recognizing the invaluable leadership, perspective, and contributions that women bring to governance,” she said in a statement.

“While this record number of women serving today is a cause for celebration, it is a reminder of the long and continuing journey toward equity and representation,” she added. “This moment is more than numbers; it is about the power of representation to shape policy, and challenge systemic inequities that have been created by individuals that have not lived our experiences.”

The L.A. City Council, as it’s known today, was established in 1850 with nine council members. It increased to 15 members in 1925.

To celebrate her historic win this year as the first woman elected to represent Council District 10, Hutt will host a community swearing-in event on Friday at First AME Church Los Angeles in South L.A. Doors will open at 6 p.m. The event will start at 7 p.m. Mayor Karen Bass and L.A. City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson are expected to attend.

The public event is free. Attendees are asked to RSVP at bit.ly/cd10events.