b'But even with these challenges, Julia said she is mostWORK, FAMILY BALANCEproudofthenumberofgrantsforinfrastructure,Balancingherfamilylifewiththedemandsof publicsafety,andparks,sheandherteamhavebeingthefirstBlackfemalemayorofManningis successfully negotiated.When I think of the mostveryimportanttoMayorNelson.Shebelievesthat singularandpersonalaccomplishmentthatIhavebeingamotherandtryingtomakesureyourea achieved, I would have to say developing a team spiritgood mother can be hard and make you question if concept,whichshecallsTeamyou truly have balanced your time Manning,Nelsonbeamed.Shewiththoseyoulovethemost, truly believes that for any team toMayorNelsonadmitsthatgiving be essential it takes every member100% to your public life and trying feelingthattheyarerespectedtoaccomplishthesameforyour andvalued.Nelsonstressedthatpersonallifesimplyisntpossible. thereisnotoneindividualmoreInstead,hermottoisgivethe importantthananother.Whileamountoftimetowhatsneeded sheacknowledgesthatthereat the moment. She fondly refers maybeindividualswithmoretoherson,Nelson,asher Main significantroles,sheemphaticallyMan.Shemadeitabundantly believes that no individual is moreclearthatnoonetakespriority important than any other memberover him in her life. For the most of the team. part, she says her son has enjoyed Inidentifyingotherchallengesthejourneyandoftenteasesher Nelson admitted that unknowinglysaying that People like me, more attimesandindenialattimes,thanyou,shechuckled.Mayor beingaBlackwomanhasbeenNelsonsaysthatshecompletely ahindrancetoherabilitytobegetsthat,andsheappreciatesthe acceptedbyotherelectedandunconditionallovethatherson business leaders. She did, however,receives from their community. acknowledgethatithasnotbeenMayorNelsonencouragesother onagrandscale.ShefirmlyBlackwomentoseekleadership believesthatwhilethenationalroles,eveninthiscurrentsocial politicalclimateandrhetoricand political climate. She cautions, alongwithsocialmediaandhowever,thattherealitiesof keyboardbullieshavemadeitenteringaleadershiprolein moreobviousandmorebrazen,thiscurrentpoliticalclimate ittrulyisntrepresentativeofherrequirehavingagreatprayer being accepted.In the end, Nelsonlife and a thick skin to deal with believesheraccomplishmentsthedisrespect,criticism,and speakforthemselvesandcantbemisrepresentations.Shealso fairlychallengedoroverlooked.advisesthatwomenseekroles She describes her community as one in which mostthattheytrulybelieveinandhaveagreatpassion peoplegovernthemselvesinanhonorablewayandfor.Becausesometimes,shepointedout,theironly remaintruetotheircitysmotto:Matchlessforreward will be the positive difference they are making. BeautyandHospitality.NelsonsaysshedoesnotNelson describes herself as the Peoples Mayor- the find it hard to work with and live among genuinelymayor for all equally and impartially. She believes that kindandrespectfulpeople.Shesayssheoftenall successful leaders must embrace this philosophy.reminds herself and others facing adversity that You cant let the negative circle of perhaps 25 individualsSojourner Truthoncesaidthat Ifthefirstwoman allow you to lose focus on the 3,500 plus who desireGod ever made was strong enough to turn the world toseeprogressandlovetheircommunityasmuchupside down all alone, these women together ought to asyoudo.Especiallywhenforthemostpart,thebe able to turn it back and get it right side up again. circleof25doesntliveorhaveabusinessinyourMayor Julia Nelson is one of the many Black women jurisdiction.mayors doing just that. IMARA15'