Yesterday, history was made as three black congresswomen announced the formation of the first and only Congressional caucus for black women and girls! What does this mean? Well, now, there is a group dedicated to “[eliminating] significant barriers and disparities experienced by black women.” U.S. Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) and Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.) confirmed the exciting news yesterday via press release from the House of Representatives.
Rep. Kelly explained in the press release the importance of the caucus. “Black women and girls are disproportionately affected by myriad [of] socioeconomic issues that diminish their quality of life and threaten the well-being of their families and communities,” she said. “The Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls gives black women a seat at the table for the crucial discussion on the policies that impact them while also providing a framework for creating opportunities and eliminating barriers to success for black women,” she later added.
According to the Huffington Post, “The caucus was inspired by Ifeoma Ike, the co-founder of Black and Brown People Vote, and a collective of six other women involved in the #SheWoke committee which is comprised of leading black women activists who consistently
advocate for black women’s rights.” Nakisha M. Lewis, Tiffany D. Hightower, Shambulia Gadsden Sams, Sharisse Stancil-Ashford, Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever and Sharon Cooper are members of the committee along with Ike. She shared the nes to her twitter as well!
Roommates, you can’t tell me that black girls don’t rock!! This is amazing and so needed. Thank you Rep. Coleman, Rep. Kelly and Rep. Clarke for thinking of us!!
TSR STAFF: Talia O. @theclosetratchet on Instagram & @shopnymc on Twitter!
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/official-congressional-caucus-on-black-women-and-girls_us_56f18294e4b09bf44a9eae8c
