i was inspired by mayor joanne el rosario and the other women mayors around. so last year, i decided to run. and i won in november, not even a year. and little did i know, i was running into a burning building. hercules was crumbling. in january, the mayor resigned, so i became vice mayor. and then the rico movement happened and i became the mayor in june. [applause] the fastest rise of anybody i know. we had a lot of problems. we had to lay off people, cut the budget, cut parks and wreck. our meetings were overflowing. we had to rally the community around as peter it is an ongoing thing, but we're turning it around. i am glad that i did not quit, thanks to the filipino womens' network who has inspired me and kept me on track. i never thought i would do this. thank you very much. [applause] >> we love you. in 2006, fwn hosted a victory party. there were about four women that won the elections at that time. one of them was a jill wynns del rosario. it is interesting -- joanne del rosario. it was interesting at the time because i invited her to the party, and sh