EMILYs List Statement on Black History Month

For Immediate Release: 
February 1, 2018

EMILY's List Statement on Black History Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In recognition of Black History Month, Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILYs List, released the following statement:

“From Shirley Chisholm to Carol Moseley Braun, African American women have always been champions for progress in this country — and the heart of the Democratic Party. This month, we celebrate the women who paved the way for the history-making African American women we helped elect in 2017 — and those whose upcoming victories we're fighting for every day. EMILY's List is proud to support candidates like Stacey Abrams, who will be the first ever African American woman governor in our nation's 242-year history. We need voices like Stacey's in positions of leadership and power if we want to make true, systemic change in this country.”

“Under an administration that has wholeheartedly embraced white nationalism and has repeatedly attacked the civil rights of people of color, it is as important as ever that we stand up and fight back. We're proud of the African American women in Congress who have stood strong, unified, and done just that — and we're working to send them reinforcements in the midterms.”

EMILYs List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, has raised over $500 million to support pro-choice Democratic women candidates – making them one of the most successful political organizations ever. Our grassroots community of over five million members helps Democratic women wage competitive campaigns – and win. We recruit and train candidates, support strong campaigns, research the issues that impact women and families, and turn out women voters. Since our founding in 1985, we have helped elect 116 women to the House, 23 to the Senate, 12 governors, and over 800 to state and local office. Forty percent of the candidates EMILYs List has helped elect to Congress have been women of color. Since the 2016 election, thousands of women and counting have reached out to us about running for office. To harness this energy, EMILYs List has launched Run to Win, an unprecedented effort to get more women to run at the local, state, and national levels.