Living Herstory
Angela Alsobrooks Elected to Become the First Woman County Executive Of Prince George’s County
By Raoul Dennis
Family Stand: James Alsobrooks and Patricia Alsobrooks, Alexandra Alsobrooks (daughter) and Angela Alsobrooks. PHOTO: URBAN STYLE MEDIA.
With a magnetic, unending smile and a continuous bounce to the rhythm of the music, Angela Alsobrooks greeted supporters, family and friends in every corner of the Half Note Lounge in Bowie, Md. after her victory speech Nov 6. Overhead monitors depicting the nail biting election races around the rest of the country were muted in bittersweet contrast to the celebratory sounds of go-go beats reflecting the uncontested but incredibly popular race that Alsobrooks had just won.
From the VIP room to the stage area to the dining site, she darted from one group of well-wishers to the other, pausing occasionally to bounce to the music and always, always greeting people as if she hadn’t seen them since high school graduation.
Alsobrooks, a Democrat, became the only candidate in the field for county executive when Republican candidate Jerry Mathis dropped out of the race in August. The move cemented Alsobrooks’ path to the highest office in the county.
“It’s not so much because she’s a woman,” says Caryne Moses, 24, of her pride in seeing Alsobrooks become the county’s top executive. “It’s more about seeing her dream, believing in her vision for her community that she was born in and reinvesting what was invested in her.” Moses is a senior at Bowie State University. “It feels good to be part of a winning team and to work for someone who actually cares.”
Delphine Peterson, an educator and 40+ year resident of Prince George’s County also believed in the Alsobrooks vision.
PHOTO: PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE AND MEDIA
“We were all excited about this campaign from the start,” Peterson says. “Angela always speaks from the heart and means what she says and it’s easy to follow someone like that and help her win. We are so glad that it all worked out.” Peterson is experienced in election campaign work. She was a part of County Councilmember Derrick Leon Davis’ (D-Dist. 6) campaign as well. As such, Peterson knows the issues and supports candidates she expects to tackle them. One of those issues Peterson believes the Alsobrooks administration will address includes education: “Set the education department straight because we really need help with that.” She is excited about additional vocational education programs and greater balance in resources to various schools in the system.
Parents James and Patricia Alsobrooks enjoyed the victory for their daughter – and the county.
“It’s an opportunity of a lifetime to share with family and friends this fantastic moment for my daughter and the county,” says James Alsobrooks.
“I’m very happy but I’m not surprised,” says Patricia Alsobrooks. “She has always been focused and she has always done what she sets her mind to do.”
A native of Camp Springs, Alsobrooks decisively won the Democratic nomination in June with 62% of the county vote in the primaries.
The Nov. 6 win makes Alsobrooks the first woman to attain the office. As County Executive-elect Alsobrooks will lead a transition team to identify members of her administration.
In a recent interview with Prince George’s Suite Magazine and Media, Alsobrooks, while proud of the historic achievement, said that her goal is more significant than earning a place in the record books.
“It’s more important to do a great job so that it paves the way for other women in the future,” Alsobrooks said.
Alsobrooks will be sworn into office December 3.
