Kamala Harris swears in Karen Bass for mayor of LA

Ms Davenport said she does not usually attend political events but is making an exception this time.

“I wanted to help celebrate and commemorate this momentous occasion,” said Ms. Davenport. “I really feel like she’s signaled that she’s ready to tackle the really tough issues, not just manage them.”

Though voters said they were frustrated and cynical about whether a course correction was possible, thousands gathered at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday to celebrate the election of the city’s first woman and second black mayor after Tom Bradley, who Retired in 1993 as the longest-serving executive in Los Angeles history. Ms. Bass is the latest in a growing number of women elected to local leadership positions.

The ceremony was attended by musicians including Stevie Wonder – whose performance of Living for the City got the new mayor off her feet – Chloe Bailey and the duo Mary Mary. The event also included a reading by poet Amanda Gorman, which ended with a line that drew a standing ovation: “Where there’s a will there’s women, and where there’s women there’s a way forever.”

Participants wore rain jackets and umbrellas while waiting to go through security. Some were decked out in suits, others in sequins and Santa hats. As lines snaked through the LA Live complex, guests stretched out their phones to snap selfies in front of the theater’s marquee, which showed Ms. Bass’s smiling face and her motto, “It’s a new day for Los Angeles.”

Earle Charles, a professor at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California, stepped up to the front at his first inauguration as mayor in Los Angeles, where he has lived for nearly four decades. He said he is a longtime supporter of Ms Bass and trusts her to deliver on her campaign promises.

“One of the first things, of course, is to address the homelessness situation,” said Mr. Charles, 69, who lives in Granada Hills in the San Fernando Valley. “For me, that’s the main problem.”

Other participants agreed that homelessness should be high on the new mayor’s agenda. Bertha Scott-Smith, 54, said she felt Ms Bass’ predecessor Eric Garcetti had not had an easy time making any real headway on the matter.