These Women Made History In The 2020 Election
It would be the greatest understatement of at least the last four years to say that the results of the 2020 presidential election were hotly anticipated, but that wasn’t the only thing that made November 3rd such a landmark occasion. As the days passed and Americans wrung their hands while votes in battle grounds were still being counted, there was still a lot to celebrate. In particular, some newly elected women in Congress made history, promising to push for progress in areas like racial equality, LGBTQIA rights, and education.
These women’s politics are important, but so is the representation they’re offering. As faces, voices, and identities that will inspire future generations, they are forces to be reckoned with, poised to use their powers for good. Read ahead to learn a little more about some of these groundbreaking ladies.
Kamala Harris: Vice President-Elect
The California native, who currently holds a seat in the US Senate, will be the first HBCU grad, the first South Asian woman, and the first Black person in the VP position. Harris, who began her journey in politics as a deputy district attorney, supports the Green New Deal, stricter gun control (including a ban on assault weapons), women’s reproductive rights, and granting citizenship to undocumented immigrants, among other progressive issues.
Sarah McBride: State Senator (DE)
The activist and current National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign (as well as author of Tomorrow Will Be Different, which documents her experience fighting for equal rights) will be the first transgender state senator — the highest political position any trans community member has served. During her time in politics (formerly working with former Governor Jack Markell and former Attorney General Beau Biden), she’s fought to expand Medicaid in Delaware and advocated to protect vulnerable communities from child abuse.
Cori Bush: House of Representatives (MO)
Bush, who will serve as Missouri’s first Black congresswoman, earned recognition as a protest leader and activist following the death of Michael Brown, a young, Black Ferguson resident who was fatally shot by police in 2014. In addition to her stance against police brutality and racial discrimination, the nurse, pastor, and single mother supports a higher minimum wage, tuition-free state college, and Medicare for all to empower and support impoverished communities.
Taylor Small: House of Representatives (VT)
In winning her seat, the 26-year-old activist and drag performer will become Vermont’s first openly transgender lawmaker. As a progressive Democrat, she supports youth literacy and the Green New Deal in addition to advocating for marginalized citizens such as members of the LGBTQIA community.
Stephanie Byers: House of Representative (KS)
Photo via Jaime Green/The Wichita Eagle
As a retired high school teacher, Byers built her campaign on the issue of improving educational funding. When she takes her seat, she will make history as not only first trans person in Kansas legislation, but also the first Native American trans woman to serve in the country.
*Lead image via @coribush, thumbnail image via The New Yorker/Tyler Comrie
