“If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” — Margaret Thatcher

Woman power was on display Monday when members of Richmond City Council and the School Board were sworn in.

Seven of the nine City Council members and eight of the nine School Board members are women.

Those numbers are historic and, as a result, we expect a lot to get done during the next four years they are in office.

We mark this moment for several reasons, chiefly because it displays a trend we have seen nationally — that women are starting to emerge from the political shadows in larger numbers and take their rightful place in leadership positions.

Women, who have long been the backbone of church and other organizations within the Black community, are now free to show our city just how dynamic they are when it comes to getting things done.

We leave it to sociologists and anthropologists to determine why this is taking place now. But we hope that the wave of women leading Richmond’s top governing boards will create greater change and movement toward equity and opportunity for all segments of our community.

Now, perhaps, we can look for passage of laws and policies to give greater help to workers, families and children, including an increase in the minimum wage, paid sick leave for employees and affordable day care and after-school programs.

We applaud Richmond voters for recognizing the talent women possess and putting into office the best people to represent their interests and to move the city and the schools forward.

The composition of the City Council and School Board also sends an inspiring message to youngsters, females and Black people that avenues are open for them in the future.