Media Coverage

Notable Congressional and State Wins

by | Feb 3

Vice President Kamala Harris set the precedent for recognizing the value and power in being first, but not last. Her historic election to the second highest office in the United States was a tremendous accomplishment and signified a new level of breaking barriers placed on women and Black people. In the spirit of her memorable motto of being first, but not last, we celebrate new firsts for Black women legislators.

Before the November 5, 2024 election, Black women were not among the list of United States senators. As of the start of 2025, there are two. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (Democrat-Maryland) and Senator Lisa Blunt Rochster (Democrat-Delaware).

Their historymaking elections doubled the number of women elected to the U.S. Senate from two to four. In 1992, Illinois elected Senator Carol Moseley Braun. Decades later in 2016, Vice President Kamala Harris was elected to represent California.

In September, Blunt Rochester told Elle, “The history-making part is good, but the impact is what we’re all going for, to make a difference in people’s lives.” The difference is a priority. Their representation is major as well. “The ability to go to the Senate and be one of 100 — but also as two of only five [Black women senators] in the history of this country — would be incredible.”

Prior to Alsobrooks’ senate win, she served as the county executive of Prince George’s County, which followed an eight year role as the county’s state’s attorney. The Duke University and University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law graduate highlighted her background and experiences to relate to voters. She openly discussed navigating childcare while campaigning for public office and being a caregiver to aging parents.

Blunt Rochester is no stranger to being a trailblazer. In 2016, she made Delaware history as the first Black person and woman elected to represent the state in Congress. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and master’s degree in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware. This set the course for her early career impact at the state level, including an appointment to deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Social services, and Department of Labor for the state.

 

Fight Like A Mother

One of Tennessee’s newest state representatives is a mother who channeled her grief into advocacy and activism. Shaundelle Brooks is the mother of slain Akilah DaSilva, who was murdered along with three people in a deadly 2018 shooting at a Waffle House in Antioch, Tennessee. The tragedy forced her on a quest for policy and legislative change.

She began meeting with legislators and showing up on behalf of victims, families, and community members. The early days of advocating at the capitol were extremely rough. In an interview with WPLN she described it as, “hard to find hope.” Yet, unwavering in her vow to “fight like a mother” on behalf of her son, she continues to push for gun control and an end to gun violence. Brooks earned a bachelor’s degree in law/criminal justice from John Jay University and worked as a parole/probation officer.

We congratulate these women on their respective wins!

 

Resources

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