Photo: Monica Montgomery Steppe, San Diego's newest supervisor
by Emily Alvarenga, Maura Fox
Hours after Monica Montgomery Steppe became the first Black woman ever to serve on it, the county board approved another $3 million for migrant services, despite concerns from some local aid groups.
Monica Montgomery Steppe officially became San Diego County’s newest supervisor Tuesday and immediately joined her four colleagues in voting on key policies during their last meeting of the year — including a contentious debate on funding for migrant services.
With her hand placed on a Bible held by her husband, Montgomery Steppe was sworn in as the county’s first Black woman supervisor by her father-in-law, long time civic leader Cecil H. Steppe.
Noting the county’s struggles with homelessness, housing affordability, equity and other issues, Montgomery Steppe said “we cannot interpret these challenges as obstacles only. They’re opportunities to affect meaningful change.”
Montgomery Steppe is the first Black person elected supervisor in San Diego County in over four decades, since Leon Williams became the first in 1982. On Tuesday, in front of crowds that packed both board chambers and an overflow room, she said she stands on his and countless others’ shoulders.
“But there’s a long road ahead of us in challenging the status quo,” she said. “Together, we will write a new chapter that celebrates inclusivity and embraces diversity, a chapter for improving the services and quality of life for the millions of people who live in our county.”
