City of Munday makes history by electing full council entirely of women
MUNDAY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – For the first time ever, the Munday City Council is comprised entirely of women. While Munday’s mayor and city manager are both men, these five women say they are proud to represent their community, and hope to inspire young girls to one day run for office.
10-year councilwoman Karen Longan told KTAB/KRBC she first ran in an effort to make a difference in her community. Throughout the decade that she’s served the City of Munday, she said she’s seen city managers and councilmembers come and go, so she now looks forward to the different backgrounds and perspectives her other four councilmembers provide.
“I’m very excited. These women have many ideas, and they have passion, and that’s what drives change is passion and the knowledge. They are going to work as hard as they can,” said Councilwoman Longan.
Councilwoman Skye Urbancyk has a background in education as a teacher. She said joining the council was meant to spread information residents need to know.
“When the meetings are, when you’re supposed to vote, how to vote, how to run for city council,” Councilwoman Urbancyk listed.
In the process, the five coucouncil women said they hope to stir up a sense of community leadership in future generations of women.
“No matter your gender, your race, that you can do anything. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you aren’t good enough or that you can’t do something, because it doesn’t [matter] where you came from, who you are, or what your name is. Everything is possible if you put your mind to it,” encouraged Councilwoman Urbancyk.
Councilwoman Joyce Sanders told KTAB/KRBC she remembers her kids reactions after announcing her candidacy.
“My kids that live here, they live outside the city limits. They were like, ‘oh, we can’t vote for you, but go Mimi, go Mimi, go!’ Now that I’m retired, I feel like that I have the time to give back to the community,” Councilwoman Sanders shared. Continuing, she said she was proud to now represent a city she’s known and loved.
Using their differences as an advantage to ensure effective decision making and policies, Councilwoman Jayla Sanchez said she’s proud to work with this group of women. In a small town like Munday, with around only 1,200 residents, these councilors agreed that their constituents are an extension of their family, and they want the best for each one of them.
“Excellent group of women,” highlighted Councilwoman Sanchez, “and I think we can come together and do some things for the community. Mrs. Longan was actually my teacher when I was in high school back in 2003, so I mean, we all know each other.”
Munday’s fifth councilwoman, Exa Lee Smith is said to be most interested in an inclusive leadership model.
“She also has amazing vision, putting those decades together and learning from each other is going to be wonderful,” Councilwoman Longan vouched for Councilwoman Smith.
As for the mayor and city manager, they expressed excitement in working with a council to bring in new ideas every day.
“We joke that he may need a counselor,” laughed Councilwoman Longan
At Munday City Hall, you can not only find the five city council women, but the justice of the peace, city judge, and the city and county attorney, are also all women.
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