Get To Know These 4 Women Who Made History On Election Night
Last night’s election went a lot differently than most POC and Democratic voters could have hoped and Donald Trump was elected as the 45th President of The United States with a total of 276 electoral college votes. He is now the first elect without any prior political experience in history to snag a residency in The White House.
Although the clouds in today’s sky might be looking a little gray, there is still a silver lining.
Before we get too far in our feelings and start heading to the border with all our life’s treasures in tow, let’s step back to take a moment to reflect on the women of color who showed up and showed out last night. (Because man, did these women come through!)
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These phenomenal women are changing the dynamic of American politics, while making history at same time:
Kamala D. Harris
California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris won the state’s US Senate seat, making her the first black woman to do so. Harris was born in Oakland to an Indian-American mother and a Jamaican-American father, so she knows a thing or two about being a woman of color in white spaces. She’s lived it — also being California’s first black woman attorney general — and that’s what makes her win so inspiring. Harris will be the second black woman in history to fill a US Senate seat, and the first Indian-American woman in the US Senate overall.
Ilhan Omar
Ilhan Omar was elected as Minnesota’s first Somali-American state representative. Just her mere appearance will have Trump supporters shaking in their Dixie Outfitters and crying white tears. Not only is she a refugee, but Omar also proudly wears a hijab and identifies as a Muslim-American woman. In addition to her win, Omar now has a national platform to highlight her immigration story.
At the age of eight, Omar fled the Somali Civil War with her family, and after spending four years in a Kenyan refugee camp, settled down in Minneapolis as a teenager. Omar has defeated the odds stacked against her, and hopes to inspire other young Muslim-Americans and immigrants to do the same. And as far as we’re concerned, she already has.
Lisa Rochester
After last night’s election, Lisa Rochester is slaying the game as Delaware’s first black congresswoman. An awesome victory for sure, however, the Philly native has a long list of “firsts” under her belt already. Rochester was Delaware's first black woman Secretary of Labor, and its first black Deputy Secretary of Health and Social Services and State Personnel Director.
Attica Scott
Although she didn’t have a Republican challenger to face for Kentucky US Representative seat, Attica Scott has become the first black woman to serve on the state’s legislature in 20 years. She defeated her Democratic opponents in May’s primary election, and has since been adamant about shaking things up in the state’s political structure.
Scott proudly represents a district that’s 50% white and 50% black, and is never silent when it comes to fighting for racial equality. And with Kentucky being notorious for having racial biases, it feels so good to have Scott in office as someone on our side.
Being the change we wish to see in the world is still possible. What are some accomplishments about last night's election you're proud to have witnessed? Let us know in the comments below!
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Tyler James Williams Explains Why His And Quinta Brunson 'Abbott Elementary' Characters Should Remain Friends
While Abbott Elementary fans are hoping that Janine and Gregory end up together, the show’s star has another take. Tyler James Williams plays Gregory on the Emmy award-winning sitcom, and he recently stopped by The Jennifer Hudson Show to share his point of view on his storyline with Janine, which Quinta Brunson plays.
“I hate to say it. I know that everybody’s always mad at me for this. I don’t necessarily want to see them together,” he revealed. “It’s partially an actor’s choice, but also somebody who, like, I read a lot of scripts all the time. I watch a lot of TV, a lot of film. I don’t think that we see displays of platonic love between two people often. I think it’s really easy to go right to they have feelings for each other, therefore they should be together. I like this dynamic of exploring withholding that and just actively loving each other where they are. That I like to see more.”
If you recall, they were co-workers who became friends but were secretly crushing on each other. They’ve had many awkward run-ins during and after school, like the unforgettable club scene where they were dancing nervously with each other in season one, and in season two, they finally kiss. However, it only made things even more awkward, and they decided to just be friends. Tyler further explained why he thinks it’s important to showcase that type of relationship on screen.
“I think it’s time for that. I think TV allows people to see things that could be their lives for the first time, and I think seeing a healthy friendship that is deeply caring about one another in a work atmosphere needs to be shown more than the relationship,” he concluded.
Abbott Elementary comes on every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.
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Feature image by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images