It is Muna Abdulahi’s utmost honor to be the featured poet at the inauguration of the first all-time women city council. The four newly elected councilmembers will join the Saint Paul City Council next year alongside three returning councilmembers in the first all-women council in city history. A majority of the council members are women of color, and all are younger than the age of 40.

We invite the community to gather for the swearing-in of the newly elected and returning council members at an inauguration ceremony on Jan. 9, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 3:00 p.m.). The ceremony will take place at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul.

The three returning councilmembers: Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Ward 2, begins her third term; Councilmember Mitra Jalali, Ward 4, begins her third term; and Councilmember Nelsie Yang, Ward 6, begins her second term.

The four newly elected councilmembers include: Anika Bowie, Ward 1; Saura Jost, Ward 3; Hwa Jeong Kim, Ward 5; and Cheniqua Johnson, Ward 7.