Dixmoor Elects 1st African American Female as Village President

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Dorothy D. Armstrong, the Village of Dixmoor’s first elected female African American president, speaks to local rsesidents after being sworn in ion May 8. Photo/Lee Edwards
Dorothy D. Armstrong, the Village of Dixmoor’s first elected female African American president, speaks to local rsesidents after being sworn in ion May 8. Photo/Lee Edwards

Dorothy D. Armstrong has officially become the Village of Dixmoor's first elected female African American president.

Armstrong, who had served as a village Board Trustee for the past six years, defeated the incumbent President, Keevan A. Grimmett, in Illinois' special election on April 9, by a small but decisive margin of six percent, and was sworn in last Wednesday at the Dixmoor Village Hall, located 170 W. 145th St. in Dixmoor.

"I continued to run for mayor because I felt that there was a [need] for change in leadership for the village of Dixmoor, so I kept running until the people here have gotten ready to make that change, I just kept doing it, I did not give up, I was consistent," Armstrong told the Chicago Citizen Newspaper.

Dixmoor's Village Hall was filled to capacity with citizens and well-wishers who came to witness and celebrate Armstrong's swearing in as well as the swearing in of other elected officials there.

Armstrong is prepared to take on her new responsibilities stating, "I have knowledge of our finances [from being a trustee]; I also have knowledge of the projects we need to develop and bring to the village."

The new village president has also recognized Dixmoor's population is becoming more diverse and is therefore looking forward to developing programs and special events that benefit the village's entire population.

Transparency and accountability is what Armstrong feels will distinguish her from her predecessor and she has already launched two initiatives which incorporate these values including an open-door policy for Dixmoor residents which allows them to discuss village issues directly with her and the dissemination of important village information through newsletters and other materials.

Dixmoor's website will also now include village meeting minutes, direct messages from the Executive Board and upcoming events, which will help spread the information more quickly and easily to all residents.

Armstrong's first day in office was May 9 and at the top of her to do-list was: focus on the village's finances and study the requests of residents to demolish buildings that have become an "eye-sore" in the community.

Armstrong has already met with her board of trustees and she feels confident that they will support her plans for Dixmoor as well as the appointments to her cabinet offices. She also says that she has spoken with Illinois legislators with the goal of fostering strong partnerships with them.

In addition to close friends and family, Armstrong credits her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., of which she is a member, as key components to her success, siting both organizations produced fund raising events for her campaign.

Former Village of Dixmoor President, Keevan A. Grimmett, told the Chicago Citizen Newspaper, "The bottom line is we needed a new injection going forward. This gives us an opportunity to have some hope [going] forward."

After learning that she had won the village presidency after several unsuccessful attempts, Armstrong stated that there were a lot of tears of joy. Her long journey had come to an end. Now, a new journey begins, that will blaze a trail not only for herself, but for all of Dixmoor.

By Lee Edwards

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