Kate Sears Sworn in as District 3 Supervisor

There's a dream in the future
There's a struggle we have yet to win
And there's pride in my heart
'Cause I know where I’m going
And I know where I've been

The thousands of people who attended the over the past six weeks know these lyrics from the musical’s ode to the civil rights struggle, “I Know Where I’ve Been.”

But for , who was sworn in as the District 3 representative on the Marin County Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning, it spoke to the from the vaunted years of the late Charles McGlashan’s tenure and the road ahead. She asked Hairspray cast member Carol Thomas to sing it for a packed house in the Board of Supervisors’ chambers, and while all eyes were on Sears at the brief event, Thomas stole the show.

“It celebrates the past and the future, which I think is a lot of the reason why we’re here today,” the 58-year-old grad Sears said afterwards. “I really want to acknowledge the sad circumstances that brought me here today. Charles McGlashan was loved and he was beloved by many people, and he was fully committed to his passions and I really hope to build on his achievements. But the celebration today is really about crossing the threshold.”

In late May, to replace McGlashan, who after a skiing weekend with friends in the North Lake Tahoe area. Sears received the oath of office from longtime friend and colleague Julie Henderson, an advisor to Brown.