Black Women Politicians Working to Make History

Originally published November 1, 2018

2018’s election season is nearing its end and Black women are showing out in full force once again. This time, nearly 500 Black women are running for public office across the United States.

Since 1968, when Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to Congress, only 38 Black women have held seats in the House of Representatives. Only two Black women have been elected as as U.S. Senators.

This year these numbers are likely to change. 58 Black women are running for federal seats, 180 for state seats and 213 for local seats.

Meet five of the hundreds that are working to make history in this year's elections:

Stacey Abrams - Candidate for Governor of Georgia

The United Stats has never had a Black woman governor. Abrams receive her BA from Spelman College magna cum laude and her Law degree from Yale. Her campaign has been unlike any other and much of it has been centered around giving voice to overlooked populations. She has since been endorsed by former President Barack Obama and even has Oprah going door to door to rally support for her. Learn more about Abrams here.

Lauren Underwood - Candidate to represent Illinois’ 14th district

Lauren Underwood is the youngest black woman running for Congress this year. She is also the first Black woman to be nominated for Illinois' 14th district.  and the first black woman nominated to run in the history of Illinois’ 14th district. Underwood is adamant about affordable health care. Additionally, she is working to support public education, reproductive rights,  affordable child care, and paid family leave. Support Underwood here.

Ayanna Pressley - Candidate to represent Massachusetts’ 7th district

Ayanna Pressley has already made history as first black woman to serve on Boston’s City Council and is set to become Massachusetts' first Black Congresswoman. Her platform is fighting to end sexual violence and gun violence. Pressley advocated for defunding Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Medicare for All.

Ilhan Omar - Candidate for Congress

Ilhan Omar became the first Somali-American Muslim legislator in 2016 when she was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2016. Now, she is working to become the first Somali-American in Congress. If elected Omar will be one of the first two Muslim women in Congress. She is working to create tuition and debt-free college and to establish housing as a human right.

Raumesh Akbari - Candidate to Represent Tennessee State Senate District 29

Raumesh Akbari is running for Tennessee's State Senate and if elected she would become the youngest member of the state's Senate. In the past as a member of Tennesee's House of Representative's she has worked to protect schools from state takeovers and to improve public transportation. Learn more about Raumesh here.