The Association of Washington Cities (AWC) is pleased to announce that one of its mayors was elected to a prominent position on the national stage.

The National League of Cities (NLC) elected Tacoma’s Mayor Victoria Woodards as its President. She stepped into the new role at the 2022 NLC City Summit held November 16-19 in Kansas City, Missouri, attended by over 3,500 city officials and staff nationwide. Mayor Woodards will serve a one-year term and succeeds Mayor Vince Williams of Union City, Georgia.

“It is a tremendous honor to be elected president of the National League of Cities, and I am thrilled to be stepping into this role to help America’s cities, towns, and villages thrive,” said National League of Cities President and Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards. “I’ve spent my career in public service listening to people and bringing them together to solve challenges. My theme for this year is ‘people + partnerships = possibilities.’ With this theme in mind, I’m ready to hit the ground running with a special focus on workforce and housing challenges. As local leaders, it’s essential that we create employment opportunities for our residents and ensure that they have an affordable place to call home.”

AWC, NLC, and the City of Tacoma welcomed attendees to an event in Kansas City on November 18 to celebrate the mayor’s new role. The mayor was joined by more than 70 city officials from Washington state, and 400 city officials from throughout the nation.

This is the first time in 40 years that one of Washington’s cities has held the NLC presidency.

“Mayor Woodards is a once-in-a-generation leader, and exactly the leader that NLC needs today,” said AWC Chief Executive Officer Deanna Dawson. “Tacoma is known as the ‘City of Destiny,’ and NLC is destined for greatness under Mayor Woodards’ leadership.”

The last elected official from Washington who served in the role of NLC President was Seattle Mayor Charles Royer in 1983. Prior to that, Seattle Councilmember Phyllis Lamphere served in 1977, Tacoma Mayor Harold M. Tollefson served in 1967, Seattle Mayor Gordon S. Clinton served in 1962, and Seattle Mayor William F. Devin in 1951.

“We’re thrilled to have a leader like Mayor Woodards serve as our president,” said NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence Anthony. “As president, Mayor Woodards will serve as a powerful voice not just for Tacoma and Washington, but for all of the nation’s cities, towns, and villages.”

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AWC serves its members through advocacy, education, and services. Founded in 1933, AWC is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation that represents Washington's cities and towns before the state legislature, the state executive branch, and with regulatory agencies. Membership is voluntary. However, AWC consistently maintains 100 percent participation from Washington’s 281 cities and towns.

NLC is the voice of America’s cities, towns, and villages, representing more than 200 million people across the country. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy, and drive innovative solutions.

Photo credit: National League of Cities