Pierce County Council proclaims February 2026 Black History Month, honors Victoria Woodards and Mary Moss

The Pierce County Council on Feb. 3 formally designated February 2026 as Black History Month and presented a proclamation recognizing the contributions of Black leaders locally and nationally.

Former Tacoma mayor Victoria Woodards accepted the proclamation and recounted her journey from working in tobacco fields as a child to earning an AA at Tacoma Community College, a BA at Evergreen State College and a master’s degree from Chapman University. "I started my journey on a tobacco field in Virginia," Woodards said, adding that being the first in her family to pursue higher education helped shape her public service. "Today, I stand before you and am honored to say that I have a master's degree in organizational leadership."

Mary Moss, a former Lakewood deputy mayor who the council also honored, described her long civic career and work building community programs. "This is very meaningful to be here," Moss said, reflecting on her roles with the Lakewood Multicultural Coalition and the South Sound Military Community Partnership. She urged continued efforts to create space for Black women and other leaders in local government.

Council members praised both women’s leadership and highlighted local efforts the proclamation cited, including county support for Black-owned businesses through American Rescue Plan funds. The proclamation text—read into the record—noted that the county-backed Community Navigator program and business accelerator efforts had provided grants and coaching that supported Black entrepreneurs.

The ceremony included brief council remarks recognizing the honorees’ regional partnerships and long-term civic work. The council invited the honorees for a photo after their remarks.

The proclamation will be entered into the meeting record; no formal policy action or vote beyond the ceremonial recognition was taken at the Feb. 3 meeting.