Nirva LaFortune: 21 Who Made a Difference in 2021
GoLocalProv Political Team
Nirva LaFortune: 21 Who Made a Difference in 2021
She burst onto the political scene in 2017 winning a special election for the vacant 3rd Ward City Council seat after Kevin Jackson was recalled.
The Haitian-born LaFortune has taken on big and controversial issues. She has been leading the fight against Fane Tower despite pressure from the building trade unions.
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In an email to GoLocal, LaFortune wrote, “I am still and will always be committed to taking proactive approaches to address this systemic issue. That may be reallocating funds to invest in social services to help address harmful conditions faced by marginalized communities. As I stated, I want our approach to be strategic, which is why I am committed to working with our city leaders, the police department, our young people, and the communities most impacted.”
Moreover, she has for the past four years been a constant advocate for more affordable housing.
In September, she announced she would be running for Mayor of Providence. She said, "This a scary time in our country. We need strong, independent leadership at every level...I know that we cannot move forward unless we trust our elected officials and believe that they represent our interests. Providence is filled with talented people who love their city. I want to bring people together across economic, racial and gender divides and put us to work on solutions."
LaFortune, who is an administrator for Brown University, will battle Brett Smiley especially for votes on the East Side and will fight for votes on the Southside and the West End.
If elected, LaFortune would be Providence’s first female mayor.