Kelly was among six candidates who ran for two seats that were up for grabs in the June 7 election. The other seat on the council went to incumbent Larry Spicer, who has been on the council since first being elected in Tamala Kelly, right, gets sworn into the City Council as the first Black woman to become a council member in the city of Monrovia, by assistant city clerk Sarah Godinez, during a city council meeting in Monrovia, on Tuesday, July 5, Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer.
Tamala Kelly, right, hugs a family member after she is sworn into the City Council as the first Black woman to become a council member in the city of Monrovia, during a city council meeting in Monrovia, on Tuesday, July 5, Tamala Kelly, right, hugs Mayor Becky Shevlin after they are sworn into the City Council, Kelly as the first Black woman to become a council member in the city of Monrovia, during a city council meeting in Monrovia, on Tuesday, July 5, Tamala Kelly takes her spot on the bench after she is sworn into the City Council as the first Black woman to become a council member in the city of Monrovia, during a city council meeting in Monrovia, on Tuesday, July 5, Tamala Kelly gets sworn into the City Council as the first Black woman to become a council member in the city, during a city council meeting in Monrovia, on Tuesday, July 5, City Manager Dylan Feik, left, briefs Tamala Kelly before she gets sworn into the City Council as the first Black woman to become a council member in the city of Monrovia, before a city council meeting in Monrovia, on Tuesday, July 5, An emotional Tamala Kelly wipes away a tear on the bench after she is sworn into the Monrovia City Council as the first Black woman to become a council member in the city, during a city council meeting in Monrovia, on Tuesday, July 5, Also taking her oath was Becky Shevlin, who was directly elected as mayor, succeeding Tom Adams.
Since she was a sitting member of the City Council, her seat will be filled in the near future. City Clerk Alice Atkins ran unopposed and took her oath via Zoom. Kelly became emotional as she was being sworn into office. Afterward, she talked about the significance of making history in the city. It does matter.
Why does it matter? It matters because representation matters. It really speaks to the heart of Monrovians and who we are as a people, that we thrive in diversity, we thrive in unity, we thrive in connection. So this speaks of this great city that I live in and that I love.
As for Adams, he ends a long career on the Monrovia City Council. He was first elected to the council in and was re-elected in , , and He was mayor pro tem in and was directly elected as mayor in , and Adams spoke at length, then gave one last parting gift for his three decades of helping govern the city. Taking his spot will be Shevlin , who beat out Stephen Grollnek in the at-large election for Mayor. She showed appreciation for those who cast their ballots for her. Shevlin has been on the council since and was mayor pro tem from May through April and from May through April By Robert Morales rmorales scng.
