Eileen Higgins just made history in Miami and the world is taking notice

Eileen Higgins has become the first woman ever elected mayor of Miami, marking a major milestone for representation in one of America’s most high-profile cities.

Higgins, 61, won Tuesday’s run-off election and will be sworn in as Miami’s first female mayor in the city’s history. Her victory also makes her the first non-Hispanic candidate to hold the office in decades, a rarity in a city shaped by immigrant communities and multicultural identity.

For many voters, the win symbolises a shift in who gets to lead major US cities. Miami, where more than half of residents are foreign-born, has long been dominated by male leadership. Higgins’ election breaks that pattern, giving the city a new face at a moment when women in leadership roles have become increasingly visible across global culture.

Local organisers celebrated the result as a sign of rising grassroots engagement, noting that the campaign energised young voters, women and immigrant communities across Miami. Supporters also highlighted Higgins’ long-standing focus on affordability, community safety and neighbourhood revitalisation.

Higgins’ win joins a wave of historic political moments worldwide. Alongside her milestone as Miami’s first woman mayor, Mamdani’s breakthrough victory has highlighted a growing appetite for fresher, more diverse leadership.

Higgins succeeds outgoing mayor Francis Suarez and will take office later this month. Her election is being viewed internationally as a landmark moment and a reminder that change often begins at the local level.