While some consider the presidential election a big loss for women and particularly Black women, who polls suggest overwhelming supported Hillary Clinton, we experienced some big wins for women of color in major local, state and national elections.
In federal elections, three women of color were elected to
the US Senate, Tammy Duckworth in Illinois who is Asian-American and a former
U.S. Army pilot who lost both legs in combat, Catherine Cortez Masto in Nevada,
the nation’s first female Latina Senator and Kamala Harris, an African-Indian
American who won with the help of 48% Latino voters from the state of
California.
Three women were elected to the House including Pramila Jayapal in Minnesota, the first Indian-American women to serve in the House of Representatives and Stephanie Murphy, the first Vietnamese-American female. The state of Delaware is sending its first woman ever to Congress, Lisa Blount Rochester who is African-American. In January, 15 women have been sworn in to the 115th Congress, 12 Democrats and 3 Republicans. Of the 104 women in Congress, 38 are Women of Color.
Three women were elected to the House including Pramila Jayapal in Minnesota, the first Indian-American women to serve in the House of Representatives and Stephanie Murphy, the first Vietnamese-American female. The state of Delaware is sending its first woman ever to Congress, Lisa Blount Rochester who is African-American. In January, 15 women have been sworn in to the 115th Congress, 12 Democrats and 3 Republicans. Of the 104 women in Congress, 38 are Women of Color.
Women of Color also made strides with local elections. In
Jefferson County Alabama, the county seat of Birmingham and the most populous
city in the state, nine Black female judges were historically elected in district
and circuit courts. Another Jefferson County located in Beaumont, Texas elected
a Black woman, Zena Stephens to the office of Sheriff. The county overwhelmingly voted Republican,
but elected Zena who is a Democrat in a landslide vote. Orlando, Florida also
elected its first Black Female Chief of Police, Val Demings.
All of the mentioned elected officials won
on initiatives that significantly affect women including quality healthcare, equal
pay, economic disparity, immigration reform, gun control and racial equality. These
wins resulted in voters choosing who they felt were the best candidates, which
happened to be deserving women of color.
The value in getting involved in the political system can be
of significant importance for women, our children and our future. We can start
at the community level by being heard and seen in a positive manner. As newly
elected sheriff, Zena Stephens says, “I credit my win to my long history in the
community and building relationships across political lines.”
We must look beyond what many women see as a defeat and if
history has anything to do with our rise from adversity, we will prevail in
breaking the Glass Ceiling.
