John,

Every day, I’m reminded of the spirit, career, and legacy of the late Shirley Chisholm, who taught me an invaluable lesson: If you’re not invited to the table, you bring your own folding chair.

In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first African-American woman to serve in Congress. And in 1972, she became the first woman and Black person from a major political party to seek nomination for president of the United States. She is remembered as she wished, “...as a woman … who dared to be a catalyst of change.”

When I was first elected in 2018, I became the youngest Black woman ever elected to Congress, almost 50 years to the day that Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman ever elected to Congress. So during my speech on election night, I made a promise to my community and myself that, like Congresswoman Chisholm, I’d be “unbought and unbossed.”

At the beginning of my third term in Congress, I’m pleased to say I’ve kept that promise. Since 2019, I’ve had 14 pieces of legislation signed into law — and I’m just getting started. For this term, I’m so proud to be the first Black woman elected to House Democratic leadership in over 30 years.

I don’t take this honor lightly. I’m humbled to have this opportunity to build on the progress we’ve made so far.

The work ahead won’t be easy with the House majority in Republicans’ hands, but just like Congresswoman Chisholm, I won’t give up. I’ll continue bringing my folding chair to the halls of Congress. I’ll continue to be unbossed and unbought, focused on helping elevate working families everywhere: for an economy where everyone has access to opportunity, for an end to the gun violence epidemic, and for every person’s right to quality, affordable health care. But none of my work is possible without your support.

So John, will you chip in before midnight on Sunday to support our work ahead of our FEC end-of-quarter fundraising deadline? Right now, we’re tracking behind on our goal.

I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that we make the progress my community and working families across the country are counting on.

Thank you for staying by my side.

Onward,

Lauren