Elenora Woods, DDS, entered the 2021 race for mayor of Chattanooga, Tenn., reports the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Dr. Woods said rising from the Chattanooga housing developments to a successful dentist and community activist has primed her for the role.
"My favorite saying is, 'It's not where you come from, it's where you're going and how you get there,'" Dr. Woods said, according to the Free Press. "One of the things that we're going to continue to do is to make sure that we have opportunities for those who just need a hand up."
The dentist said she's responding to a call from community members asking her to run.
"I'm sick and tired of seeing the statistics in education where Black and brown children are at the bottom of the list all the time," Dr. Woods explained. "I'm sick and tired of all of the discrimination that goes on in our communities."
Dr. Woods said she will advocate for the small business person, introduce criminal justice reform and develop comprehensive homeless services if elected. She is the ninth person to publicly announce candidacy for outgoing Mayor Andy Berke's seat.