Nigerian-born Uzoma Asagwara has been elected into a Canadian legislative assembly as a lawmaker in Manitoba.
Asagwara is a psychiatric nurse and community activist. She won the Union Station seat for the NDP in the election on Tuesday.
That makes Asagwara the first Black, queer woman in the legislature.
She also becomes one of three Black people to have been elected into the 150-year parliament.
Another blackman Jamie Moses took the St. Vital seat and Audrey Gordon won Southdale for the Progressive Conservatives.
Speaking on her victory, Asagwara said, “This is a historic moment for our team and our communities.”
She described her election victory as “wonderful…incredible,” and a “sign that folks are really making sure that our elected officials reflect the communities they serve.”
The election has officially been called and Sept 10th is only a few weeks away!
I’m running to make sure Union Station is representated by a progressive and compassionate MLA with deep roots in our community.
Join our campaign! pic.twitter.com/mcMHirGmQw
— Uzoma Asagwara (@UAsagwara) August 13, 2019
She also told CBC News that “Our elected officials in our Manitoba Legislature should absolutely reflect the constituencies … and communities that are in Manitoba”.
“So making sure that our elected officials look like the communities we serve [is] fundamental in making sure that all voices and all communities are served well in Manitoba.”
Asagwara is a first-generation Canadian whose parents are Nigerian. She is a longtime community activist in Winnipeg’s core.
Source: Africafeeds.com
