Resting her hand on her grandfather, Rev. O.D. Ford Sr.’s heirloom Bible, Mayor Yolanda Ford was administered the oath of office at the Monday, Dec. 17, 2018 Regular City Council Meeting by Presiding Judge Debra Sinclair, signaling a historic transition of leadership in Missouri City prompted by Ford’s win in the Dec. 8 Runoff Election.
Joined by her father, Abram Ford, Sr., and her mother, Jacqueline, Mayor Ford vowed to “faithfully execute the duties of the Office,” in the presence of hundreds of citizens, stakeholders, family members, elected officials and supporters who came to witness the ceremony first-hand and gave her a standing ovation.
After being sworn in, Ford, who was elected with 51.95 percent of the vote citywide, addressed the audience: “I just want to take this opportunity, to one, thank God, my parents, my family and everyone who supported me to get to this point. I sincerely appreciate it,” said Ford, who is the City’s 11th mayor and the first female and first person of color elected to the position. “And I want to leave everyone with one remark: I know we have a lot of differences, but with that we have to learn to appreciate our differences so that we can work together to get things done.”
At her swearing-in ceremony, Ford, who is now also Chair of the 14 METRO Multi-City Coalition, received accolades from the following dignitaries:
- State Rep. Jarvis Johnson (Texas House District 139): “I wish you all the best and I want to let you know that you have a friend in the State House that will do all that I can to ensure your success as you build on one fantastic City and as you continue to do great work.”
- Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (18th District): “Today you make an enormous statement of history. A history that speaks to a new trajectory in the state of Texas. That we’ve moved to a point where people are elected from the basis of their credentials and as well respective of color, race or gender. And that is no small measure.”
- Diana Waters, Community Liaison for State Sen. Borris L. Miles (District 13) presented a proclamation to Mayor Ford on Miles’ behalf, congratulating her electoral success.
Ford, who prior to becoming Mayor, was District A Councilmember from June 2013 to November 2018, and Mayor Pro Tem from November 2017 to November 2018, has been a resident of Missouri City for more than 40 years. Professionally, Ford’s background is in urban planning, architecture, community development and government contract management. Ford holds a Master of Architecture (M. Arch) from Prairie View A & M University and a Bachelor of Science (B.S) from the University of Houston. Ford is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Planning Association (APA).
