New East Ward rep. sworn in
Annette Scippio takes the Oath of Office from Forsyth County District Court Judge Denise Hartsfield.
With family, friends and other loved ones seated in the first two rows of the City Chamber on Monday, Nov. 26, Annette Scippio was sworn in as member of City Council and representative for the East Ward.
A native of Winston-Salem, Scippio was selected in October by fellow Democrats in the East Ward to replace Derwin Montgomery, who is a co-owner of The Chronicle, and was elected to fill the 72nd District seat in the N.C. State House vacated by Ed Hanes earlier this year.
Before she was persuaded to run for the vacant seat on the City Council by friends throughout the East Winston community, Scippio made a name for herself in the Twin City, serving as executive director for Leadership Winston-Salem, a nonprofit community leadership program started by the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce and the Delta Fine Arts Center. She also worked within the private sector at General Food Corp., Del Monte Corporation and RJR Foods.
Scippio, who was raised in the Reynoldstown community, graduated from Anderson High School. After high school, Scippio earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University and later a Masters of Arts degree from Duke University. She said she was honored to be the advocate for the citizens in the East Ward and all of Winston-Salem. She said the heartbeat of our community is the citizens and she wears red to be reminded of that every day.
“I certainly loved having grown up in Winston and I certainly want the decisions I make will ensure that my grandchildren will have a wonderful city that they will live in. And I always keep in mind that the decisions I make really reflect the heartbeat of our community,” she said. “I am very very pleased to serve with passion, compassion and integrity.”
Before leading the oath on Monday night, Forsyth County District Court Judge Denise Hatfield told Scippio she was extremely proud to be the one chosen to deliver the affirmation and have her serve as her representative in the East Ward.
“I am extremely proud for a number of reasons to be able to administer this oath to you. In Leadership Winston-Salem, you were an example to me and all of my classmates. You led with distinction and with honor and made all of us proud graduates, and more importantly proud to be a part of this Winston-Salem community,” Hartsfiled said.
“… I am extremely proud this evening to be able to call you my Council Woman and I’m proud for you to represent me.”
