Having arrived in Derry as a refugee, Lillian Seenoi Barr is about to become the city's mayor.
Lilian Seenoi-Barr had already made history when she became the first black politician to be elected to any public office in Northern Ireland in 2023.
She said she wanted to be "a mayor for everyone" and wanted to show that Derry and Strabane district was a place that was welcome and where "anyone who comes to Northern Ireland, regardless, of their background can thrive"which led to two party colleagues resigning and racist abuse including death threats followed the announcement of Ms Seenoi Barr being chosen for the role.
Originally from Kenya, she previously worked to promote gender rights issues for Maasai women, focusing on forced marriage and female genital mutilation.Andy George said Ms Seenoi Barr was a "beacon of hope"
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