CHICAGO — Kamala Harris’ historic ascension to the role of Democratic nominee for president is not only a landmark move for this White House election, but also for Black women in history, high-level Black elected officials acknowledged Monday on opening day of the Democratic National Convention.
The Democratic Party is turning a corner, DNC Black Caucus Chairwoman Virgie Rollins said during the caucus’ meeting at Chicago’s McCormick Center.
“Democracy as we know it is facing extinction,” she said.
The figurative coronation of Vice President Harris, the first Black woman to become a major party nominee for U.S. president, is a testament to both Harris and to the power of Black women, Black elected officials said at the meeting. The gathering that drew dozens of people served as a full-throated acknowledgment that this election will be powered just as much by Black women elected officials, as well as those whose names don’t appear at the top of the ballot.
Even Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, noted during the meeting that his strategy has always been to “surround myself with smart women and get out of their way.” The line drew a large ovation from those assembled.
Prominent national party figures such as U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, also D-Calif., underscored the impact Black women will have on this election.
Booker, who with Harris was the lone other Black elected official in the U.S. Senate, called Harris an “extraordinary sister” who he has known for 15 years.
“She is an extraordinary friend — she is the kind of friend who will tell you the truth,” Booker said.
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Whitmer, who defined the Wolverine State as the “most difficult of all the swing states,” said that the Black Caucus is more important this year than ever before.
“This caucus matters,” Whitmer said. “ The work that happens in this room could determine the future of this country.”
The group also acknowledged that Harris has her work cut out for her. They credited her with having integrity, preparedness, fortitude, and o session with service, all while being tarred by Republican opponent Donald Trump and his supporters as a “DEI hire,” a reference to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts that conservatives insist elevates unqualified people of color.
In that meeting room at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Virgie Rollins made one thing crystal clear.
“We’ve got her back,” Rollins said.
Stefanie Brown James, co-founder of Collective PAC, who also was at the meeting, explained how that will be accomplished.
“Black women have never stopped leading,” she said. “Our job has to be to get Black people out to vote. When we organize ,we will win. That effort has been led by Black women.”
The road ahead will be created and drawn by Black women, U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, a Connecticut Democrat and former National Teacher of the Year, told Black News & Views. Hayes won the seat vacated by now U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy and took office in 2019.
When asked by Black News & Views how Black women can lead en masse in this critical moment, she responded: “However we want to.”
Beyond the edge of that razor stroke, Hayes added that leading as a Black women means “not letting others create the framework for how we get things done.”
Like others framing you as a DE&I candidate.
Like others telling you your racial identity.
Like others questioning your IQ in spite of your academic and professional accomplishments.
But Black women have come through all throughout history, many have noted. This election will be no different, according to Stefanie Brown James, who explained Black women are prepared to “take it to another level.”
