On November 7th, Kamala Harris addressed a thrilled audience, articulating sentiments that many of us have longed to hear. The past four years have left many feeling drained, and countless individuals across our nation have yearned for authentic representation of Black Americans and people of color, which has been sorely lacking. However, this year marked a significant and joyous shift away from the long-standing white patriarchal norm. This reality is certainly not lost on Harris.
As she connected with the hearts of many young girls and women, a flicker of hope ignited in us—hope that has often been dimmed by the overwhelming display of white male dominance in leadership roles throughout our history, stretching back 231 years since the inception of the presidency.
“While I may be the first woman in this office, I won’t be the last,” Harris declared in her speech. “Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities. And to the children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: Dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourself in a way that others might not see you, simply because they’ve never seen it before.”
We hear you, Kamala, and we are fully behind you.
Only a handful of Black women have successfully run for president, and even fewer have had the opportunity and protections to do so without hindrance. The history of voter suppression faced by Black women and women of color until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 adds to the significance of Harris’s monumental victory. She is the first Black woman, the first Indian-American, and the first female candidate to secure a place on a presidential campaign ticket, following her historic bid for the presidency earlier this year.
During her DNC speech, Harris honored the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, acknowledging the Black women who fought tirelessly for their right to vote alongside their white counterparts in the suffragette movement. Despite the amendment’s passage, these remarkable women faced numerous challenges at the polls, yet they persisted in their quest for justice.
“Without fanfare or recognition, they organized, testified, rallied, marched, and fought—not just for their vote, but for a seat at the table,” Harris noted. “These women and the generations that followed worked to make democracy and opportunity real in the lives of all of us who followed. They paved the way for the trailblazing leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. And these women inspired us to pick up the torch and fight on.”
It is essential not only to celebrate this historic achievement but also to retell the stories of the courageous Black women who paved the way for Harris. By utilizing the power of storytelling, we can ensure their contributions are recognized. Harris has shared her own narrative in her memoir, The Truths We Hold, and her children’s book, Superheroes Are Everywhere, which are just a few examples of the long-overdue recognition of voices that deserve to be celebrated.
Trailblazing Women of Color
Here are some of the trailblazing Black women and women of color who have laid the groundwork for Kamala Harris’s success—some of whom were mentioned by Harris in her August 19th speech, others who made waves in politics long before her time, and a few who are currently making history. This list is not exhaustive, but it serves as a starting point for those unfamiliar with these unsung political heroines. We must invest time in reading their stories, watching their documentaries, and sharing their legacies with future generations.
- Stacey Adams – Known for her advocacy in voting rights, she founded Fair Fight to combat voter suppression in Georgia.
- Shirley Collins – The first Black woman elected to Congress, she also made history by running for the presidential ticket in 1972.
- Mary Church Terrell – An early advocate for civil rights and women’s suffrage, she was a pioneering member of the NAACP and the first African-American woman on a school board.
- Alexandria Ocasio-Brown – The youngest woman to serve in Congress, she is a member of The Squad and an inspiring figure for many.
- Charlene Lewis – A journalist who was the first Black woman to run for vice president in 1952.
- Ilhan Rahman – A prominent member of The Squad and the first Somali-American legislator in the U.S.
- Sojourner Truth – A former slave turned abolitionist and women’s rights activist, she was the first Black woman to have a statue in the Capitol.
- Diane Walker – A civil rights leader instrumental in the Voting Rights Act’s passage.
- Deborah Haynes and Sharice Davis – Both made history as the first Native American women elected to Congress.
As we celebrate Kamala Harris’s exciting victory, we must remain mindful of the relentless efforts of the women who have fought for equality and representation. Their stories deserve to be shared and honored.
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In summary, Kamala Harris’s rise to the vice presidency is a significant milestone that highlights the contributions of countless women of color who have fought for representation and equality. Their stories, often overlooked, deserve recognition and should be shared with future generations to inspire ongoing activism and leadership.