As many of you know, I spent my early years in what some call a suburb of Wabbaseka. As a young girl helping my family pick cotton, I never dreamed of growing up to become the first African American woman mayor of Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
After tonight (April 2), I won’t be the last. While the election results were not what I hoped for, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead this community we love. I offered my sincere congratulations and support to our next Democratic nominee for mayor of Pine Bluff, Vivian Flowers.
This election has been a spirited discussion about the future of our city. While Rep. Flowers and I have had our differences, I know she will be a leader we can all be proud of. To all of my supporters, I urge you to give her your vote this November in the general election, and the same grace you have given me as mayor.
She and I share a vision for creating a Pine Bluff promise that would give every young person in our community the opportunity to attend college. We are both passionate about unlocking Pine Bluff’s proud history as a point of destination for civil rights history, music, and culture. As a state representative, she has been Pine Bluff’s voice in Little Rock, and I believe that she will be a voice for all of the people of Pine Bluff at City Hall.
I have always said that we are One Pine Bluff, Stronger Together. Rep. Flowers will be a leader who needs the support of everyone in our city. We are a community that has faced a difficult history and many challenges. Working together, there is nothing we can’t accomplish.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
I ran for mayor because as an educator for 38 years, I knew that the young people in Pine Bluff and their families needed a champion in City Hall. I have worked with all of my heart and soul to be that champion these last seven years.
I am so proud of the work we have done together. We built the best aquatic center in the state of Arkansas.
We rebuilt the Pine Bluff Community Center into a facility that our kids deserve. We have started to revitalize main street including a state of the art library, new businesses and affordable housing.
We also have taken care of our most vulnerable citizens through the opportunity house that will open soon.
We have expanded youth employment programs and invested in programs like GVI that will keep our community safer.
This change didn’t happen by accident. It happened because of the dedication of the citizens of Pine Bluff. This special city in the heart of the delta — a place that has been knocked down time and time again but rises each time with a spirit of community and grace like no place else. I know this spirit will continue long into the future.
I want to share my sincere thanks to everyone who came with me on this journey. To my husband Frank and my family, thank you for being by my side every step of the way.
To my team at City Hall, I am grateful for your dedication to the people of Pine Bluff these last seven years. I look forward to working with you every day of my term to continue making progress in Pine Bluff.
To my campaign team, our tireless volunteers — from the young students to the young at heart, thank you. I will never forget your belief in me and your belief in our city. Thank you for inspiring me everyday. Keep the faith and keep working for a better Pine Bluff. Our city needs you.
To the people of Pine Bluff, thank you for the honor of being your mayor. Progress does not always come in a straight line. It can be messy. It can be contentious. After all we have been through, we cannot lose faith in each other or in our community. We cannot turn back now after we have come so far and when so much is at stake. I look forward to working with you to build a Pine Bluff we are all proud to call home.
Shirley Washington is the mayor of Pine Bluff.