McKinney appoints first Black woman to serve on City Council

McKinney City Council has made a historic appointment to serve District 1.

Council members swore in Angela Richardson-Woods as interim District 1 council member Dec. 21 at a special City Council meeting. Richardson-Woods, the treasurer of the McKinney Community Development Corp. board, is the first Black woman to serve on McKinney City Council.

Richardson-Woods replaces Chris Thornton, who was appointed Dec. 1 only to be disqualified from serving District 1 following the discovery that his residency was roughly 10 feet outside district borders.

Richardson-Woods was a favored name among residents of east McKinney during discussions with the city and the runner-up to Thornton during these discussions. She is also involved in the Collin County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Far North Dallas Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, and the Collin County Chapter of the NAACP, according to the MCDC website.

“As my grandmother would say: ‘You are built for this.’ I stand on the shoulders of some amazing women,” Richardson-Woods said following her swearing-in to McKinney City Council. “I am grateful for the city and the constituents of District 1 and the city of McKinney because without your support, I would not be here.”

Richardson-Woods will continue to serve on the MCDC.

McKinney Mayor George Fuller praised Richardson-Woods for her involvement with the MCDC and in charity work. Fuller also said the council needs women “badly,” gesturing over to the previously all-male City Council.

“I’ve always been very impressed with you,” Fuller said. “I am elated that we are here to appoint you as councilwoman for District 1. I love the fact that you will be the first African American woman on this council. I think that is fantastic.”