DC Mayor Muriel Bowser is Now a Mom

By Micha Green, AFRO Washington, D.C. Editor, [email protected]

Muriel Bowser, mayor of the nation’s capital, is breaking barriers as the first single mother to lead the District.

On the evening of May 21, Bowser, 45, surprised District residents with the news that she adopted a baby.

“It is with great joy and I excitement that I share with you that late last year, I decided to begin the adoption journey. I was not sure how long it would take, and to my delight, it advanced much sooner than I expected,” the mayor wrote in a statement on Twitter.   “So today, I am proud to announce that I am a mom!”

With the adoption process moving faster than expected, the mayor brought her baby home this past weekend and canceled previously scheduled appearances.

Although she is running for re-election, Bowser told WUSA 9 that she felt it was the right time to start a family.

“I decided to start the adoption journey, just knowing that it was a great time in my life and I had so much to share with a baby,” she said.

As the leader of the District she said she is now ready to make room in her life for someone who is in charge of her.

“When you sit in the seat that I’m in, you’re used to being able to make things happen, and babies have a way of letting you know that they’re in control,” she said.

Bowser contends that being a mother will now broaden her perspective and assist in her work as mayor.

“It [motherhood] certainly gives me another point of view. I have, we have been very focused on families in this administration making sure that we do everything for schools and child care and great play spaces and safe neighborhoods,” she told WUSA 9.

Just like her adoption plans were kept private, Bowser decided to keep the baby’s gender, name or photograph all confidential.

While WUSA 9 went into her home, she did not show the baby on camera.

Even in her statement about the adoption she asked for privacy.

“As a new mother would feel- I am thrilled, nervous and looking forward to each and every stage.  I will be taking the next week or so to enjoy these precious moments with my new baby.  I am grateful to be able to start my family in this wonderful way.

“Please keep us in your prayers, and I thank you in advance for allowing us this private time,” Bowser wrote.

Despite the fact she is taking some time off, Bowser said that she will remain in contact with her office and knows that important matters will still be handled accordingly.

“Because of the great team we have, I don’t expect we’ll miss a beat, and I know we’ll all keep working hard to make [D.C.] proud,” she wrote.