Ukiah Vice Mayor Josefina Dueñas was sworn in as mayor this month following a narrow vote by the city council. Dueñas, who is deaf, is Ukiah’s first hearing-impaired mayor and the first deaf Latina mayor in the United States.
Dueñas thanked Councilmember Douglas Crane for nominating her to the position.
“I am representing the diversity. Not only the Latino immigrant, but also the deaf, the handicapped, the poor, so I think that the voters choose me for a reason. And it will be my honor to do the best I can,” Dueñas said.
Not everyone has been supportive of the milestone. Dueñas’ appointment was opposed by former mayor Mari Rodin and Councilmember Susan Sher, who expressed concerns about Dueñas’ ability to perform the duties of the job. Dueñas said it “hurt” to hear these remarks, especially since the same concerns were already raised a year ago when she was passed up for the mayor’s position.
Having had a year to prepare, Crane said it was incumbent upon the city council to extend its trust and accommodate Dueñas’ needs with additional technology if necessary. The new mayor, meanwhile, has been clear-eyed about her role.
“If I cannot cope with the position, I will say ‘Thank you so much, let’s give the seat to someone else,’” she said.
One person who may be able to offer advice is Calaveras County Supervisor Amanda Folendorf. She previously served as the mayor of Angels Camp and was the first female deaf mayor in the country.
Folendorf initially faced similar doubts, but she ended up proving the skeptics wrong. With the help of two interpreters, who assisted her at city council meetings, Foldenorf’s disability never prevented her from meeting residents' needs.
A non-profit called Deaf in Government (DIG) also exists to help elected officials and government employees who are hard of hearing.
“DIG's mission is to empower Deaf and Hard of Hearing Government Employees at the local, state and federal levels. We address communication barriers, accessibility issues and promote a full inclusive work environment through networking, fostering professional growth, and career advancement,” according to the website.
At Dueñas’ swearing-in on Dec. 6, there were no hints of division. Everyone, including Rodin and Sher, congratulated Dueñas and wished her well. Donning a feathered headdress, Carlos Romero of Santa Rosa led the room in a smudging and dancing celebration to signal “transformation and change.”