Dec. 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin
Council Member-elect Julie Won shared a video Tuesday that doubled as a pregnancy announcement and notice that she has been sworn into office.
The incoming council member posted a video saying that she is expecting a child and has been sworn in to represent District 26 — which covers Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City and parts of Astoria — on Instagram and Twitter.
The video features Won showing off her baby bump next to her husband, and campaign manager, Eugene Noh in front of their Christmas tree before the camera pans over to photos of the ultrasound, gingerbread houses and festive holiday garland.
“Friends, we have some news to share: we are expecting a new addition to our family and I am officially sworn in and starting my role as the council member for the 26th district next Monday (1/3/22),” Won wrote alongside the video. “Despite all odds, we made it and it wouldn’t have been possible without your support and the unrelenting support of my partner.”
The video — set to a cover of Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One” — also includes footage of Won’s swearing-in ceremony at City Hall, Won and Noh’s wedding and a montage of videos and stills of Won and Noh together dating back to 2008.
“Eugene has been my #1 hype man, trusted confidant, and best friend throughout this journey. Sharing some throwbacks from 2008 to 2021 – 13 years in the making,” Won wrote about her husband.
View this post on Instagram
The post is the council member-elect’s first public announcement of her pregnancy.
Won, however, has mentioned her pregnancy in a public setting before. She discussed it during a virtual press conference on Dec. 21 when officials were calling for additional COVID-19 testing sites in Queens.
She said during the press conference that she was seven months pregnant and had just contracted COVID-19. Pregnant women are at greater risk of severe illness from the virus, according to the CDC.
“I’m seven months pregnant… you can imagine the amount of fear that was running through our brains as we were figuring out what to do next and how to move quickly,” Won said about her COVID-19 diagnosis.
She has since recovered and will take over as council member Jan. 1, replacing term-limited Jimmy Van Bramer.
Won easily won the general election to secure the D-26 seat and beat out more than a dozen other candidates in the Democratic primary in June.
In her Instagram post, Won noted that she will use her new position to push the city to provide better resources for women, children and families.
“For all my fellow pregnant mamas out there who may be struggling to find information / resources, navigating the pandemic, or sisters who are struggling through infertility/miscarriage— You are not alone,” she wrote. “Our city needs to do better for women, families, and children. We’ll do it together.”