EMILY's List Award: Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, left, with City Counciilor-at-Large Ayanna Pressley.Last week, in a glittering ballroom in Washington, DC that was packed to the brim with powerful women and those who admire them, Boston City Councillor-at-large Ayanna Pressley delivered an ode to her mother as she accepted the 2015 Gabby Giffords Rising Star Award from EMILY’s List. In her eight-minute speech, Pressley recounted how her late mother, Sandy Pressley, who raised her while a single mother in Chicago, was her greatest confidant until passing away in 2011 at the age of 63. “I’m here tonight because of a single voice, that of my mother’s,” she told the gathering.

Pressley was one of six nationwide finalists for the award from EMILY’s List, a powerful organization that supports pro-choice, female Democrats and seeks to recognize women in state and local politics who have “ demonstrated the sort of commitment to community, dedication to women and families, and determination and civility that have been the highlights of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ career, in and out of office.” Pressley is the second person to receive the award.

“As the first woman of color elected to Boston City Council, Ayanna Pressley has worked to be a voice for all Bostonians. She has demonstrated a deep commitment to promoting healthy, safe communities where all women and families have a fair shot,” Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List, said in a statement. “She works tirelessly to identify and create opportunities to make a positive impact on the city and the people she serves.”

Pressley was accompanied to the award ceremony by her husband, Conan Harris, her chief of staff, Jessica Taubner, her former chief of staff, Jamie Chisholm, and Jesse Mermell, a friend and former communications director for Deval Patrick.

Though the speech was about her mother – “Whenever someone is honoring me, they’re really honoring my mother. It is my public declaration and love letter to her” Pressley told the Reporter after returning to Boston – Pressley said she accepted the award “on behalf of the people of Boston. “For the people who would question the effectiveness and relevance of the city of Boston, who don’t know progress is happening in the city of Boston, this is proof to the contrary.”

With her election in 2009, Pressley became the first woman of color to join the City Council; in 2011, she became the first person of color to top the ticket in a citywide at-large race.

The other finalists for the Rising Star award were Virginia Delegate Charniele Herring, Mayor of Minneapolis Betsy Hodges, Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives Tina Kotek, California Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, and New York Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages. Hillary Clinton was also honored at the event.