Citing a new era for Baltimore, Sheila Dixon, the first female mayor in the city?s history, was sworn in to office Thursday to thunderous applause at the War Memorial building on Gay Street.
Before a huge crowd that included many city and state dignitaries and her predecessor, Gov. Martin O?Malley, Dixon, 53, said the time for division is over.
“We need to come together,” the city?s 48th mayor said in her inaugural address. “We need to leave behind oldideas and long-held grudges.”
Carla Hayden, executive director of the Enoch Pratt Library, said Dixon?s inauguration marked a major step forward. “This is a new age for the city, as well as recognition of the increasing role of women in leadership,” she said.
Dixon?s new role as mayor means that four of the city?s most powerful positions are now held by women ? the others are Joan Pratt (comptroller), Pat Jessamy (state?s attorney) and Stephanie Rawlings Blake (interim City Council president).
In her address, Dixon promised an open government.
“I?ve think we?ve grown accustomed to explaining away problems instead of solving them,” she said. “I am asking today we put aside simplistic rhetoric and start working toward real solutions.”
Baltimore City Clerk of the Courts Frank Conaway Sr., who administered the oath of office, brought a smile to the new mayor?s face, reminding her to sign the oath book “so we can get you on the payroll.”
Whatever Dixon hopes to accomplish over the next year as she serves the remainder of O?Malley?s term will be closely watched. With the Democratic primary just nine months away, five challengers already have lined up to run against Dixon, including Pratt, Conaway, City Councilman Keiffer Mitchell, State Del. Jill Carter and former high school principal Andre Bundley. Former NAACP president and five-term Maryland congressman Kweisi Mfume has not yet decided if he will be a candidate.
Still, the message from Dixon rang loud and clear.
“It?s a new season,” said the Rev. Frank Reid III, senior pastor of the Bethel AME Church, asking everyone in earshot to repeat the phrase.
