Ceremonial swearing-in for Congresswoman Summer Lee held in East Liberty the first Black Congresswoman in Pennsylvania history

by Rob Taylor Jr.

Courier Staff Writer

Yes, U.S. Rep. Summer Lee already took the Oath of Office in becoming the first Black congresswoman in Pennsylvania history back in January.

But the congresswoman decided to hold a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony, at the place where it all started—Pittsburgh.

It all took place at the famed Kelly Strayhorn Theater, in East Liberty, on Sunday, Feb. 19. More than 250 people packed the theater to watch Court of Common Pleas Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor perform the swearing-in ceremony, as Rep. Lee held up her right hand, left hand on the Bible, the Bible held by Rep. Lee’s mother, Shelda Lee. While there were the usual affirmations for Rep. Lee by certain speakers, the crowd cheered as elected official after elected official offered their congratulations to Rep. Lee via video. Names like newly-minted Pa. Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Bob Casey, Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison, State Rep. Joanna McClinton (who also serves as Democratic leader of the Pa. House of Representatives),

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Presley (D-Mass.), U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). “We have lived experiences that bring us to Congress that help us move at the urgency that you all deserve,” Rep. Tlaib said of her and Rep. Lee. “You all did something pretty incredible (in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties). You really pushed back against all the rhetoric,” and chose to elect Rep. Lee, someone who “speaks truth to power.”

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