Alumna Darcel Clark elected first female District Attorney in the Bronx
And she means business
Darcel Clark, BC class of ’83, was elected the first female district attorney in the Bronx, New York, this Wednesday, November 4.
Last spring, Clark spoke on the Politics panel at the inaugural Own It Summit last March.
On the panel, she discussed how fortunate students are to attend Boston College, and how BC students need to use their tools and knowledge to beneficially impact the world.
Honorable Clark speaking at the 2015 Own It Summit
Alexis Teixeira, President of Women in Business and Co-Chair of the Own It Summit, said: “She had this incredible energy. She’s a brilliant leader in her passion, ambition, and dedication.
“She hasn’t given up even in the face of adversity. She was very excited to be speaking to a group of young women and men who are trying to make a difference.”
In a New York Times interview with Jack Dunn, BC’s Director of News and Public Affairs, Dunn said: “She’s a great success story and we’re very proud of her and all that she has accomplished.”
Clark previously served for the New York State Supreme Court Appelate Division as an associate justice. It seems her time studying political science at Boston College paid off. She later earned her law degree at Howard University.
The New York Times added: “Clark was the first in her family to attend college,” and during her time at Boston College “she was the first recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship, which recognizes academic achievement and community service and is one of the college’s most prestigious honors.”
She also worked in Admissions and later served on BC’s Board of Trustees.
Clark’s BC roommate, Lisa Quarles, said: “She’s the go-to person. She’s always been a leader, through all aspects of her life and in the roles she has played.”
There is controversy surrounding Clark’s election. Former Democratic Bronx DA Robert Johnson stepped down to focus on separate justice duties, leading Clark to take over the party’s campaign without a primary.
The Times said: “critics question whether she will be independent enough to make major changes to the office or take on political corruption.”
However, from what BC students learned at last year’s Own It Summit and from her record as a judge, alumna, and student, independence and drive are not things Clark lacks.
She’s not afraid of hard work.
Moving forward, Clark plans to enact her VISTA plan, a plan to better the timeliness of cases, to prioritize cases of public corruption, and create for a more efficient management of her department.
Her election, Teixeira said: “shows women of BC and our community in general that with reliance, passion, and hard work, you can accomplish goals that you set for yourself regardless of barriers and obstacles.”
Clark has her work cut out for her, but with her knowledge, her spunk, her call to service, and her ability to stand up, fight, and campaign against adversity, she’s an incredible example of a BC Eagle soaring to new heights.