An At-Large member of the Boston City Council, Ayanna made history as the first person of color at the top of the ticket when first elected in 2009. Ayanna's political career spans more than 18 years, in various behind-the-scenes capacities at the federal level of government. During her time in office, she created and chairs the City Council’s Committee on Healthy Women, Families, and Communities, which is devoted to the causes that she has always cared deeply about: stabilizing families and communities, reducing and preventing violence and trauma, combating poverty, and addressing issues that disproportionately impact women and girls. Ayanna has earned local and national attention for her efforts to provide pathways to graduation for pregnant and parenting teens, ensure Boston high school students receive comprehensive sexual health education, diversify economic and wealth building opportunities for women and people of color, and strengthen support services for families of homicide victims and sexual assault survivors. In 2013, she formed the Elevate Boston coalition to ensure issues uniquely impacting women and girls and the LGBTQ community were part of the 2013 Boston mayoral race debate. Ayanna is determined to advance a political agenda focused on women and breaking the cycle of poverty and violence. Pressley is committed to working in partnership with the community to build broad and diverse coalitions to advance policy reform.