Tiffany Martin Hamilton

The interview with Mayor Tiffany Martin Hamilton was conducted on July 5, 2017 in her office on Warren Street in Hudson, New York. Tiffany Hamilton grew up in Hudson, New York and describes her Childhood in the region including familial figures who might have influenced her political activism. Among her Childhood memories, Tiffany Hamilton discusses summers spent in the “Midlands,” an island community without running water once located in the Hudson River; the Midlands no longer exist. Focusing on her early years in Hudson, Tiffany Hamilton describes how, as an openly gay teenager, she “fought” for LGBT awareness in her Hudson communities. Later, Tiffany Hamilton discusses leaving Hudson, NY and finding progressive communities in urban spaces across the country, like Los Angeles and New York City. In the interview, Tiffany Hamilton considers how these experiences shaped her political motives and yet, how she never anticipated running as a mayoral candidate in Hudson, NY. Tiffany Hamilton returned to Hudson as an adult and started her role in public office with the School Board. She was elected mayor in 2015. Throughout the interview, Tiffany Hamilton states the challenges she encountered on the campaign trail and in public office. She notes the position is only for those committed to public service. Tiffany Hamilton will not seek reelection in 2017 and looks forward to imagining other models of political engagement in Hudson, NY.

This interview might be of interest to those who want to learn about Hudson, New York; local government and public office; LGBT advocacy; LGBT youth; housing and gentrification; rural communities; urban communities; Childhood; environmental activism