America’s mid term election has redefined the whole idea of ‘Black Girl Magic’. If you know you know, this isn’t just a win for America but for black women all around the world.
Can you hear that sound? That’s the sound of women of color breaking the glass ceiling and rewriting the script in American politics.
This mid term election, America has proved to the world that women too can hold elected office in the United States. However, what is more exciting is that out of the 107 women in Congress right now, 38 are women of color. While 38 might seem insignificant, this is a big deal for women of color who at one point in American history, did not have the right to vote let alone run for office.
Let me introduce you to these phenomenal women:
1. Ayanna Pressley
Ayanna Pressley, a 44-year-old Boston city councilor, has made history by becoming Massachusetts’ first black woman elected to the US House of Representatives and the first black woman the state has sent to either house of Congress.
At her victory speech, Pressley told her cheering supporters that women of color have had to create ‘seismic shifts’ in order to break through barriers that have kept them from office.
“Can a congresswoman wear her hair in braids? Rock a black leather jacket?”she asked the crowd.
2. Ilhan Omar
Ilhan Omar is no stranger to us, well unless you live in Mars, you’ve probably seen, heard or read her name somewhere.
Ilhan made history in America by being the first ever Muslim woman and first Somali-American to wear a hijab and be elected into Congress in Minnesota. The 36-year old is former Dadaab refugee who immigrated to the United States at age 12.
In her victory speech, Ilhan said, “Here in Minnesota, we don’t only welcome immigrants; we send them to Washington.”
3. Letitia James
Letitia James was overwhelmingly elected as the Attorney General of New York becoming the first woman in New York to be elected as attorney general, the first African-American woman to be elected to statewide office and the first black person to serve as attorney general.
“At a time when we’re seeing such vitriol, and such hate on a national level, led by someone who is supposed to be a voice for all Americans, I am proud to stand here as a New Yorker who knows that it’s our diversity, our strength, our courage and our determination that makes us great,” said Letitia in her victory speech.
4. Jahana Hayes
Jahana Hayes won the race for Connecticut’s 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives and becomes the first African-American woman to represent Connecticut in Congress.
“You believe that we have to protect the future that we promised for our kids, you also believe that we have an obligation to be of service to someone else … that true leaders lead from the front and lead by example, and reject all of this hate and intolerance and this indescribable fear that does not define who we are,” said Jahana.
5. Lauren Underwood
Lauren Underwood has officially won her congressional race, making her the first black woman to ever win Illinois’ 14th District and the youngest black woman in Congress.
The 32-year old nurse and health policy expert in her victory speech said, “I aspire to be a bold representative for this community, someone who is wholly responsive and accountable to her constituents ‘unbought and unbossed.”
Women of color have indeed proven to the world that ‘Black Girl Magic’ is not just a hashtag, it’s the world’s current reality.
In addition, if the midterm elections are anything to go by, with the over 100 women elected, one thing is certain, the FUTURE IS FEMALE, THE FUTURE IS HERE.
Women all around the world can only hope that the women of color elected into office in this historic American election will spark a rise in gender and racial diversity in Congress.