#BlackWomenLead100: 100 Black Women to Participate in Historic Photo in Edward M. Kennedy Institute's Replica of the US Senate Chamber

Ayanna Pressley

July 7, 2016

BOSTON--Despite the growing electoral and economic imprint of America’s 23 million Black women, they are still seriously underrepresented and underserved.

Higher Heights and Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley are asking 100 Black women to “Take Your Seat” next  Tuesday, July 12th  in the Edward M. Kennedy Institutes’ replica of the U.S. Senate chamber seeking to elevate Black women’s voices in the political process through a photo taken symbolically in a chamber that currently has ZERO Black women serving. 

“One hundred of us will come together to take over a powerful space we’ve historically been underrepresented in, the United States Senate,” said Pressley.

According to Higher Heights and Center for Women and Politics at Rutgers University’s 2015 Status of Black Women in American Politics, Black women are 7.4% of the U.S. population yet make up only 3.4% of Congress.

Only two women of color have ever served in the US Senate: Carol Moseley Braun, an African-American Democrat from Illinois who was elected in 1992 and served until 1999, and Mazie Hirono, an Asian-American Democrat from Hawaii who was elected in 2012.

“We are gathering 100 diverse women who are leading every day in their communities to take  a seat for the countless Black women across the country that do not think they have a seat or voice at the table”, said Kimberly Peeler-Allen, Co-Founder of Higher Heights.   “2016 is a movement building opportunity for Black women to truly harness our collective political power and leadership potential from the voting booth to elected office.”

Pressley called Tuesday’s event, “the visual shot heard around the world.” that will draw awareness of the gap in Black women’s political leadership but also inspire and empower Black women to imagine the possibilities that exist.

Your coverage is welcome.

EVENT:

100 Black Women Leaders to Participate in Historic Photo in Edward M. Kennedy Institutes’ Replica of the US Senate Chamber

LOCATION:

Edward M. Kennedy Institute

Columbia Point

Boston, MA  02125

DATE/ TIME: 

Tuesday July 12, 2016

6:00 PM ET