As Democrats regroup and reimagine a stronger and more engaged party, it is imperative they revisit the successes and lessons learned from the past. Black women voters have been the building blocks of winning coalitions for Democrats, a consistent and loyal constituency.
Black women have been among the three most active voting groups in America. In 2008 and 2012, 70 percent of eligible black women cast ballots, accounting for the highest voter turnout of any racial or gender group, proving that their voting power can and does determine elections. A closer look at the data shows that in 2012, Barack Obama won re-election by 4.9 million votes. Black women cast a total of 11.4 million ballots, providing the margin he needed to win.
This past November 8th, hoping to protect the gains made over the last eight years, black women did what we always do: we showed up and cast our ballots for democracy, a system and infrastructure that often times does not show up for us. Not only did 94 percent of black women vote to keep this country moving forward by casting ballots for Hillary Clinton, we saw important elected-office gains by black women, despite the otherwise dismal defeat of progressives during the general election.
At this critical crossroads, some are suggesting moving away from “identity politics” and shifting priorities and resources to winning back white working class voters. This is not an “either or” proposition. As the Democrats decide on their leadership, priorities and strategies, they must recognize the pivotal role that black women play in the fabric of our democracy and progressive politics.
According to a new study by pollster Cornell Belcher, the CEO of Brilliant Corner Research, 63 percent of black voters feel taken for granted by the Democratic Party. Democrats cannot move forward with a plan that does not strengthen their very foundation. If the party wants a more reflective democracy, then its leadership, policy priorities and engagement investments must mirror that commitment.
Currently, there are two black women serving in leadership roles at the Democratic National Committee (DNC): Donna Brazile, the interim chair, and Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who serves as secretary. Donna Brazile has served twice as an appointed interim chair, but neither the DNC nor RNC has ever elected a black woman as chair.
This Saturday, members of the DNC will cast their votes for the leaders who will seek to rebuild the party’s infrastructure and redesign a plan and pathway forward after a bruising loss this past November. There are five black women seeking to change the face of the DNC.
Meet the black women seeking to lead the DNC:
Jehmu Greene
Jehmu Greene is one of two women running for Chair of the DNC. Greene has been a Fox News Political Analyst since 2010. Early in her career, she was the Executive Director of the Texas Young Democrats before moving to Washington, DC. Greene is the former Executive Director of Rock the Vote and has worked and served on various committees at the DNC, including the Director of Women’s Outreach and Southern Political Director. Greene is also the former Executive Director of The Women’s Media Center, a national organization focused on amplifying women’s voices in the media. Learn more about Jehmu Greene here.
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake currently serves the Secretary of the DNC and is running for re-election. Rawlings-Blake is the former Mayor of Baltimore, where she served from 2010 to 2016. During her tenure, she became the first black woman elected as the President of the Conference of Mayors. She is an attorney who spent her early career as a public defender before running for office. In 1995, Rawlings-Blake became the youngest person ever elected to the Baltimore City Council. During her tenure, she served as vice president and president of the council until her appointment as mayor. Learn more about Stephanie Rawlings-Blake here.
Lorna Johnson
Lorna M. Johnson is running for Treasurer of the DNC. Johnson is a certified nurse, health care services professional, entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is the founding partner of the Advanced Family Care Medical Group serving low-income residents in Los Angeles. Johnson was appointed by President Obama to the Kennedy Center President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts. She has also served as a member of President Obama’s National Health Care Advisory Council. Johnson has been a fundraiser for the DNC and supported candidates running on the federal and state levels. She has served on both the Clinton and Obama National Finance Committees. Learn more about Lorna Johnson here.
Karen Carter Peterson
Karen Carter Peterson is running for Vice Chair of Civic Engagement and Voter Participation of the DNC. Peterson is a member of the Louisiana State Senate, where she represents New Orleans and parts of Jefferson Parish. Currently, Senator Peterson is the Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party, the first woman to ever hold this position. Prior to serving in the State Senate, Peterson was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, where she held various leadership roles, including serving as the House Speaker Pro Tempore. Learn more about Karen Carter Peterson here.
LaToia Jones
LaToia Jones is running for Vice Chair of the DNC. Jones is an organizer, community and labor leader and activist. She is currently the Assistant Director for the Human Rights and Community Relations Department of the American Federation of Teachers. She has held various positions within the DNC as a member and staffer on the national and state level including serving as vice president of the College Democrats of America. Jones became the first black woman to become the executive director of the College of Democrats of America. She is the co-founder of Black and Engaged, a multi-city civic engagement training series for millennial grassroots activists. Learn more about LaToia Jones here.
Glynda Carr is co-founder of Higher Heights for America, a national organization focused on harnessing black women’s political power and leadership potential.