Herstory and Black girl magic continues!
Fani Willis has unseated longtime Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard, making her the first woman to be elected to the position. It was announced Tuesday after the candidates completed the runoff election following the June primary.
According to her campaign website, Willis worked in Howard’s office for 16 years and was placed in the Major Case and Cold Case Division from 2004 to 2012. She eventually moved on to become deputy district attorney of the Complex Trial Division until 2018 when she left the DA’s office to begin her own practice.
“Y’all we made herstory,” Willis told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “You have my word, during my tenure as district attorney in Fulton County, we will be a beacon for justice and ethics in Georgia and across the nation.”
Willis dominated the campaign, and with no Republican candidate on the general election ballot, the appointment is hers. She is making history as the first woman to lead the district attorney’s office after securing 73 percent of the vote. Her supporters gathered around her Midtown Atlanta-area headquarters to show their support, and her family expressed their pride online,
MY MOM IS FULTON COUNTYS FIRST WOMEN DISTRICT ATTORNEY! Not to mention, she beat a 24 year incumbent!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/DCUBQIwtJl
— kinaya (@__ayanik) August 12, 2020
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During her speech to reporters, Tuesday Willis also acknowledged her fellow HBCU grad, Sen. Kamala Harris, for becoming the first Black and South-Asian American woman to be nominated as a vice-presidential nominee by a major political party.
“And let me say one more thing,” Willis said. “Ain’t it good to be an alumni of Howard University.”
Willis’ father is a lawyer and inspired her career path.
“His message to me, even before I could talk well is, ‘every human being, even a baby is entitled to some dignity.’ I believe that in my core,” she told WSB-TV.
She plans to offer first-time offenders an opportunity to complete community service and work in partnerships with local businesses to get back on the right path.
Keep working to bring equity to the justice system, DA Willis! Congratulations!
Photo Credit Fani Willis Website