Celebrating the Rise of Black Women in Politics

Floor Speech

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Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to address a new wave sweeping the state of Alabama and the nation. In response to the Trump administration's continued attack on women as well as the #MeToo movement, at least 70 African-American women ran for office in the Alabama primary on June 5th. These women ran for their local school boards, for county judgeships, for state lawmakers, and for Congress. Black women have been the backbone of families and communities for generations, providing an unwavering source of strength. I know I stand on the shoulders of such women of strength, like Shirley Chisholm, Harriett Tubman, and Amelia Boynton Robinson. Moreover, I am inspired every day by my mother, Nancy Garner Sewell, who was the first African American female elected to the City Council of Selma, Alabama. These dynamic black women gave all they had to create a more just and free America. Yet, the fight is long from over. As the first African-American woman elected to Congress from the State of Alabama in 2010, I am overjoyed to see so many others enthusiastic to serve their communities by running for office. Black women are refusing to sit idly on the sidelines. Whether it is on issues of access to quality healthcare, education, equal pay for equal work, or engagement in the political arena, we have women from around the country that are joining the fight to let the world know that we will hold our elected officials accountable on issues that affect us, our families, and our communities. As more black women continue to speak out and run for office, I look forward to welcoming them to the table.

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