Milwaukee Alderwoman criticizes lack of Black women leaders

Milwaukee Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt released a statement on April 29, 2024, expressing her disappointment with the new Common Council committee assignments. Pratt pointed out that no Black woman was appointed chair or vice chair on the seven standing committees. This decision comes after the recent election on April 16, 2024, which saw Milwaukee’s Common Council become the most diverse in its history, with the highest number of Black, female, and LGBTQ members ever elected, a milestone celebrated as a step towards better representation of the city’s diverse population.

Pratt highlighted that the second most senior member of the Council, a Black woman who previously served as chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee and the Licenses Committee for years, was not assigned a leadership role in any of the committees. Furthermore, Pratt herself was assigned to only one committee, a decision she described as unprecedented.

In her statement, Pratt emphasized the importance of empowering diverse voices within the Council and ensuring that the over 160,000 Milwaukee residents represented by a Black Alderwoman are not marginalized. She expressed disappointment that other members who benefited from the committee assignments did not speak out against the lack of Black women in leadership roles.

To prevent similar situations from occurring in the future, Pratt announced her intention to introduce legislation mandating that no member should be assigned to fewer than two committees, barring legal or disciplinary reasons. She stressed the importance of all Alders carrying an equal load to ensure fairness and effective representation. As Milwaukee’s Common Council continues to make strides in diversity and representation, Alderwoman Pratt’s statement serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done to ensure equal opportunities for all members to take on leadership roles and effectively serve their constituents.