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COMMENTARY: Women continue reaching for parity in representation

INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER — One hundred years ago women were on the cusp of voting equality. They had their first chance to participate in democracy, which is a founding aspect of American society. Women’s suffrage was a critical topic to women across the country.

Now, women are running for president. Women are holding high seats of power. One hundred and twenty seven women are currently in the United States Congress. According to the Center for American Women and Politics, the proportion of women who voted in every presidential election since 1980 has been higher than that of men.

Published

5 years ago

August 29, 2019

Oakland Post

Photo by: Dennis Magati | pexels.com

By Jaclyn Ferguson

One hundred years ago women were on the cusp of voting equality. They had their first chance to participate in democracy, which is a founding aspect of American society. Women’s suffrage was a critical topic to women across the country.

Although there may be a long way to go, there is also a lot to celebrate — and Aug. 26 is a day to recognize both sides of the fight.

Women’s Equality Day was originally created to recognize the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Now the day represents much more than the right to vote but also embodies women’s constant push to receive full and complete equality.

Kristina Horn Sheller, professor of communications at IUPUI, believes there is much to be hopeful for.

This is largely because of the higher than usual representation of women in U.S. Congress. She believes this shows that women, and specifically young women, want to get involved in politics. The 115th Congress was 19.4% women, while the 116th Congress is 23.7% women. In previous years, the percentage was relatively stagnant.

The number of women is not the only monumental part of the 116th Congress. But, 37% are women of color.

The “squad” is an informal political grouping of four congresswomen of color under age 50, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib. These women have often represent a younger, diverse political audience.

Sheller believes women of color, specifically, bring in personal concerns to office.

“There are some pretty startling cutbacks on everything from equality to immigration rights to the environment,” Sheller said. “With more diverse people in those seats of power, a variety of issues are going to be at the forefront,” she added.

Additionally, Sheeler believes the media plays a critical role in shaping the perceptions of women in politics. She noted that many of the headlines surrounding women politicians focus on women’s electability and likability. The same story can be framed in completely different ways depending on the news station, and Sheller believes this fuels the divide and makes political conversations more difficult.

“The media plays a large role in the way the public thinks of these women, ” Sheeler said.

Deborah Hearn Smith has had a high amount of involvement in women’s rights throughout her career. Now retired, Smith is currently active in women’s organizations in Indiana.

Smith believes a major talking point in politics involving women is voting. She said women of color are becoming a larger voting block and must make sure people in office do not consider women of color “less than.”

“We need to point out to women of color and women what their vote can do,” she said.

This article originally appeared in The Indianapolis Recorder.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

1 week ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

1 week ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org