A SDLP Councillor who will become the first black mayor in Northern Ireland said she is "deeply honoured" to be nominated for the role.
Lilian Seenoi-Barr will become Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council on 3 June.
She said that she was elected in 2023 in Foyleside and "this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve the city that I love so well".
"A city that welcomed me and my family and gave me the life that I have right now, so there's no better way for me to give back than really being there and showcasing the best of it," she added.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she explained that she has been involved in social justice since she was 12 years old.
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"I came to Derry in 2010 and when I arrived there, I had my own challenges and at that time I became an activist, championing the rights of minoritised communities and I was discovered for my confidence, I think, and my dedication and commitment to changing Derry to be a better place," Ms Seenoi-Barr said.
She said she was invited to join the SDLP by leader Colum Eastwood "and it was the best thing that happened to me because it is the party that I would have loved to be involved in because of its history of social justice".
Ms Seenoi-Barr added that Derry and Strabane are fantastic places and she wants to show how positive and progressive the areas are.
"Overall I want to progress every single voice in the district and to support really good causes that may have not been highlighted before," she said.
However, the selection process has been criticised by some party members as "undemocratic" and prompted the resignation of fellow SDLP councillor Jason Barr.
Discussing the opposition to her nomination, she said she put her name forward and there was an open process.
"I was selected after a very robust interview that all the three candidates went through. So, I can understand their frustration. I am deeply, deeply humbled by this position and I think it is great for the city.
"It's great for the whole of Ireland. Everyone deserves to see themselves in positions of responsibility and I'm really looking forward to working with all of them and everyone in that Council," she said.
In relation to criticism by far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, she said that since his remarks she has been "deeply humbled by the warmth and kindness shown to me by the people across Derry and across this island".
She said his comments do not reflect how the people of Derry feel about her nomination.
"This is a city of social and economic justice and I think it is very fitting that history has been made in the Derry as it has been so many times before.
"So Alex Jones, Derry is a place for everyone and that's my message to him. And I will be enjoying that position with so many others who want to see a better life and a better community," she said.
She said she is not worried about what he has said "because it just exposes the bitterness that he has".
She added: "What it did yesterday is there was flooding of messages from everybody who was defending me and who was showing that this island can be a better place.
"So I'm not concerned at all. I don't care about the two million people [his followers on X], there are more than two million people who want to see progress in this world. We are better and many [more] than them."
