By Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project
The tenure of Mayor Victoria Woodards in Tacoma, Washington, will stand out less for conventional projects and more for the philosophy of service she brought to the office. Her leadership, a clear departure from traditional politics, is rooted deeply in empathy, equity, and a profound commitment to listening to her community.
The Heart of Servant Leadership
Woodards frames effective leadership not as power, but as service, often calling the mayoralty the “highest office, closest to the people” and the “most honorable job.” This perspective, cultivated during her time on the City Council, ensured every decision was filtered through the lens of community impact and accessibility. She operated under the firm belief that true leadership requires constant communication and a willingness to be guided by the community’s voice.
Youth and Engagement: Defining Accomplishments
A defining characteristic of Mayor Woodard’s time in office has been her dedication to the next generation. Among her proudest achievements is establishing the Youth Commission in 2019, which provided young people with a direct voice in city affairs and a platform for leadership development. “We’re building the city for them, but we’re not engaging them in the opportunity to think about a city they want,” says Woodards. “I’ve been extremely blessed because these young people have gone on to do great things. And I run into their parents, who thank me because the Youth Commission changed their child’s life with confidence and leadership skills.”
She also significantly increased participation in Tacoma’s annual Student Government Day, immersing students in civic duty and fostering their understanding of local government. This focus on youth was central to her vision for Tacoma’s long-term health, establishing a pipeline of informed and engaged citizens. “We’re building a city for our students, but not always engaging them in our decisions or hearing if our proposals are being made for the city they want,” said Mayor Woodards.
A Conscious Commitment to Equity
Woodards made equity and inclusion a non-negotiable mandate, embedding these principles in every city department and city-wide policy development. For the mayor, this was an active pursuit of fairness, designed to address historic disparities and ensure that decision-making reflected the diverse voices and needs of all Tacoma residents. Her commitment to integrating public feedback reinforced this dedication, ensuring that those who historically felt unheard were finally given a platform.
Woodard’s influence extended nationally, culminating in her role as the President of the National League of Cities, placing Tacoma’s values on a national stage. Locally, her administration fostered a collaborative environment where community groups and residents were indispensable partners in tackling issues like housing and public safety. Her platform during her tenure was people plus partnerships equals endless possibilities and it was under this banner that she launched multiple workforce development initiatives.
A Full Circle Farewell
Mayor Woodards gave her first state of the city address at Tacoma’s Lincoln High School, which she attended as a teenager. Every year of her term she changed community locations for the state of the city, but this year she went back to Lincoln for her final city address. “To do my first one at Lincoln and to do my last one at Lincoln, it brought it full circle to me,” says Woodards. “I didn’t go to college after high school, I joined the military, and so I didn’t have that college experience that a lot of people get to talk about. My experience was my high school. It was my high school that shaped me.”
Woodards expressed gratitude in her farewell and stressed the importance of a smooth mayoral transition. Her most cherished aspiration was simple: to be remembered as the mayor who listened to its people. Her administration, built on empathy, inclusivity, and empowering Tacoma’s youth, established a new benchmark for equitable leadership.