The Port of Seattle recently welcomed Toshiko Hasegawa and Hamdi Mohamed, the first women of color to be part of its port commission in its 110-year history.
Hasegawa, who also serves as executive director of Washington State’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, said she wants to prioritize tackling supply chain issues, broadening economic opportunities and decreasing pollution.
“I am proud to be elected the first woman of Asian ancestry on the Port of Seattle Commission,” Hasegawa said. “The Port of Seattle holds the key to a robust economy, healthy environment, and thriving communities, and I want to help the port be a leader in bringing together stakeholders to build our port economy back to be more inclusive, sustainable and abundant for all.”
Mohamed, who is also the public policy and strategic project manager for King County, said she wants to focus on economic and workforce development and environmental action and added that she’s honored to be the first Black woman elected to the port commission and the first Somali American woman to be elected into office in Washington state.
“For us to participate in a highly competitive global marketplace at our highest capabilities, we must be represented by the full breadth of our community,” Mohamed said. “Throughout its history, the port has proven to be a platform for economic opportunity and environmental leadership. By focusing on equity, environmentalism, and the dignity of work, we will expand those opportunities to include communities closest to the port but furthest from its benefits.”
Their inclusion also created a majority of people of color on the commission, another first for the port.
