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Black History Month: Black politicians shaping local government

A man wearing a suit raises his eyebrows as he listens
Brian Stevenson
/
Vermont Public
Sen. Joe Major, D-Windsor, in a meeting of the Senate Committee on Agriculture on Jan. 28, 2025.

In 1988, Louvenia Dorsey Bright made history as the first woman of color elected to the Vermont legislature. Her son, Bill Bright, reflects on her accomplishments and what it was like to watch her break barriers. The Friends of the Vermont State House is raising funds to commission her portrait.

Then, we hear from three Black politicians in our region — State Sen. Joe Major who represents Windsor, Winooski Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner, and former Burlington City Councilmember Zoraya Hightower. They share their political inspirations, what motivated them to run for office, and the roles they see for themselves in local and state government.

Broadcast live on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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Mikaela Lefrak is the host and senior producer of Vermont Edition. Her stories have aired nationally on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, Marketplace, The World and Here & Now. A seasoned local reporter, Mikaela has won two regional Edward R. Murrow awards and a Public Media Journalists Association award for her work.