DEARBORN — Community leaders, dignitaries and other officials turned out at Byblos Banquets on Monday, May 9 to support Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s fundraising event, “Arab Americans for Kym Worthy.”

Worthy is only the second African American woman to hold the position of a county prosecutor. She was appointed to the position in 2004 to replace Mike Duggan, who went on to head the Detroit Medical Center. 

Dearborn School Board Trustee Mariam Bazzi, who is also a Wayne County assistant prosecutor, said Worthy has been an advocate for Arab American woman in the county.

“Kym Worthy believes in diversity,” Bazzi said. “Not diversity for the sake of having diversity, but having qualified individuals in her office that represent a diverse background.”

Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News, said Worthy has stood up for multiple communities that have been impacted by a wave of bigotry sweeping the nation during this election cycle.

He also cited her long history of cracking down on corruption in Wayne County, citing her office’s leadership in charging former Detroit Mayor Kawme Kilpatrick in 2008.

Siblani noted that Worthy has had numerous conversations with The Arab American News about changing ethnic intimidation laws so that it would be easier for the prosecutor’s office to file charges against individuals who intimidate or threaten minority communities. 

“Kym is known as the toughest woman in Detroit,” Siblani said. “Kym is tough, but fair. She is the county’s first Black and first woman prosecutor. She has earned a reputation as a strong confident figure in the state and national legal scene.” 

Worthy highlighted the importance of representing Wayne County’s communities during her comments. 

“It’s really important for me to be a good Wayne County prosecutor,” she said. “Some of the issues are so important, especially in today’s climate, which is the worst kind of climate in accepting the type of diversity we have.”

She noted that even with a strenuous workload at her office, she always strives to be as balanced as possible. 

“It’s also very important for us to be just, moral, fair and honest in our decisions to prosecute and in our decisions to carry cases forward,” she said. 

Worthy thanked the Arab American community for supporting her position in Wayne County. She stressed the importance of this year’s elections.

“The election is a very important one all the way up and down the ballot,” she said. “Thank you for supporting me; thank you for supporting those that I support and thank you for welcoming me with open arms every single time I come to Dearborn and Dearborn Heights.”