Allison Silberberg

Allison Silberberg (born 1963) is an American writer and politician. A Democrat, she served as the Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia from January 4, 2016 to January 2, 2019.[1]

Allison Silberberg
Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia
In office
January 4, 2016 – January 2, 2019
Preceded byBill Euille
Succeeded byJustin Wilson
Personal details
Born1963 (age 56–57)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma mater

Biography

Silberberg was born in Dallas, Texas, to Alfred "Al" H. Silberberg, a petroleum engineer, and Barbara Arden Schwartz Silberberg, a community stateswoman and local Democratic Party activist.[2] Silberberg received a bachelor's degree in international relations and history from American University in Washington, DC, and a master's degree in fine arts in playwriting from the School of Theater, Film and Television at the University of California, Los Angeles.[3]

Silberberg is the author of “Visionaries in Our Midst,” a book that profiles individuals making a difference in the United States. She is also the author of “And Life Will Be a Beautiful Dream,” a commissioned memoir about the meaningful life of a philanthropic family.[3] She wrote an episode for the situation comedy Mama's Family, titled "Mama's Layaway Plan." It debuted on February 11, 1989.[4] She has also written columns and articles for PBS, The Washington Post'', and The Dallas Morning News.

Silberberg has over 25 years of experience in community leadership and public service, including interning for Senator Ted Kennedy and working for Senator Lloyd Bentsen. She served a three-year term on the World Bank's Community Outreach Grants Committee, which disbursed major funding to local nonprofits in Washington. She started and led a nonprofit called Lights, Camera, Action!, which used film to mentor youth in Anacostia. For nearly a decade, Silberberg hosted monthly charitable events, which gave all proceeds to local nonprofits focused on children at risk and families in distress.[3]

Silberberg has lived in Alexandria since 1989. From 2004 to 2012, she served on Alexandria's Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC), which advocates for the city's most vulnerable residents. As chair of the EOC, she initiated the EOC's annual public service day, “All Hands on Deck.” The first annual “All Hands on Deck” renovated the Alexandria Community Shelter with the help of 100 volunteers. Silberberg won New Hope Housing's 2012 Leadership/Servanthood award for her role in leading the “All Hands on Deck” project.[3]

In 2012, she was elected to the Alexandria City Council. Because she won the most votes of all the candidates, she became the city's Vice Mayor. In 2015, Mayor William D. Euille, Alexandria's first African American mayor, lost the Democratic primary to Vice Mayor Silberberg.[5] He then ran against Silberberg as a write-in candidate, but to no avail.[5] Silberberg was sworn in on January 4, 2016.[6]

Silberberg was defeated in her bid for re-election by Alexandria Vice Mayor Justin Wilson on June 12, 2018, in Alexandria's Democratic mayoral primary.[7]

References
  1. Pope, Michael (2016-01-05). "Allison Silberberg Sworn In As Alexandria Mayor, Makes Ethics Her Priority | WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio". Wamu.org. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  2. "Barbara Silberberg Obituary - Dallas, TX - Dallas Morning News". Dallas Morning News.
  3. "Bio". allisonsilberberg.com.
  4. ""Mama's Family" Mama's Layaway Plan (TV Episode 1989)". IMDb. 11 February 1989.
  5. "Allison Silberberg Takes Oath, Becomes Mayor of Alexandria". Old Town Alexandria, VA Patch. 5 January 2016.
  6. Pope, Michael (5 January 2016). "Allison Silberberg Sworn In As Alexandria Mayor, Makes Ethics Her Priority". WAMU 88.5. American University Radio. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  7. Justin Wilson defeats incumbent Alexandria, Va., Mayor Allison Silberberg in primary, Washington Post, Jun. 12, 2018.
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