In the 1960s, Fannie Lou Hamer was an organizer of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP). An active participant in civil rights organizing for years, Hamer was gravely injured and permanently disabled by police in 1963 after attempting to register black voters in Winona, Mississippi. In 1964, Hamer went before the Credentials Committee of the Democratic National Party to fight for black delegates from the MFDP to be seated as voting members at the party’s convention later that year. The Democrats refused. But Hamer made history anyway. When asked why she continued to push for civil rights, she said:
“All my life I’ve been sick and tired. Now I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
Fifty-four years later, another group of black women in the South are saying the same thing—that they are “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” And just like Hamer, they are fighting for a seat at the political table.
In 2017, black women were instrumental in helping Democrat Doug Jones win a Senate seat in Alabama’s special election. But voting is far from the only way that they can contribute. Now they are seeking elected office in record numbers in the wake of the Jones victory. CNN reports that there are 70 black women across the state of Alabama currently running for office as Democrats.
Watch the video below which profiles three of their stories.
How incredibly inspiring and exciting! There’s no doubt that Fannie Lou Hamer would be proud. A huge shout out to all 70 women and to the other black women all across the South who are running for office to make sure that marginalized voices have representation and a seat at the table. We see you, support you, and are cheering you on. Don’t give up!
As the great Shirley Chisholm once said, “If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”
To learn more about these candidates, click here:
Jameria Moore, candidate for Probate Court Judge
Cara McClure, candidate for Public Service Commission
Audri Scott Williams, former candidate for Congress