On January 20, 2021, we got to witness our ancestor's wildest dreams become reality. In our chucks and pearls, we came together from every part of this country to celebrate the inauguration of Vice President Kamala Harris, our nation's first Black woman to serve in that role.
The election of Vice President Harris is the fruit of Black women’s labor over the last century. From Black women activist marching for women’s rights at the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, the creation of the Mississippi Freedom Party by Fannie Lou Hamer, to Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm being the first Black woman to run for president on a major party ticket, Black women that came before us tilled the soil of American democracy so that those who would come after them could see the day that Black women would ascend to the highest levels of leadership in public service.
Shirley Chisholm brought her folding chair to the decision-making table and now, Kamala Harris sits at the head of that table.
As the President of the Senate, Vice President Harris is granted the tie-breaking vote, an occurrence that has only happened three times in the entire history of the Senate. She now wields monumental legislative power, making her election more than progressive symbolism. Vice President Harris has the power to decide what legislation is prioritized, what nominees for our courts and other positions of leadership are confirmed and what legislation gets blocked. It is power that can be wielded to help many Black women and Americans who are in need of transformative leadership, now more than ever.
We celebrate today, but we are not blind to the challenges we must face tomorrow. We must be ready to roll up our sleeves to continue the work of uprooting this country’s deep-seated issues, pulling the weeds from the garden that Black women have cultivated.
Shirley’s KC will continue to position Black women at seats at decision-making tables in business, public office, non-profit organizations, advocacy campaigns, boards and commission, educational institutions, health care facilities, media and so many other spaces where Black women’s voices and power are absent. We will continue to amplify the voices and power of Black women through education and advocacy so they can be effective advocates on the issues that are important to them and the communities they serve.
Because when Black women win, we all win.
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