Darcel Clark sworn in as first woman, African American to become District Attorney in New York State

KINGSBRIDGE, Bronx (WABC) -- Before a packed auditorium inside Lehman College, leaders from all across the city, state, and courts gathered to bear witness to a prodigal daughter returning home. Officially sworn in as the 13th District Attorney for the Bronx, Darcel Clark is the first woman to ever hold the position and is the first African-American woman to hold the office in the entire state of New York.

"It's another step forward, not just for New York City, not just for New York State in our nation's evolution, in the healing of our wounds, and the beginning of a deeper process," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Mayor de Blasio and Senator Chuck Schumer both touched on the significance of Clark's election and her passion to give back the community she was raised in.

"We also need that DA to be compassionate, and to understand the balance there is in the criminal justice system and to have fairness and decency and honor," said Senator Schumer.

With her sights now set on rooting out public corruption and a new Rikers Island taskforce among other things, Clark asserted she's anxious to get to work.

"As a daughter of the Bronx, who once dreamed of holding the office that I am now sworn to uphold, this is an honor and a privilege of a lifetime," said Clark.

Clark says she also wants to blaze a trail for others behind her to follow.

"While many of us come from ordinary means, we are capable of extraordinary things," she says.