John — To kick off Black History Month, we’re honoring and paying tribute to some of the trailblazers who paved the way for Lauren to become the youngest Black woman elected to Congress. 

These leaders left a mark on our community in Illinois’ 14th district and our country, and we are very proud to stand with Lauren in honoring them.

In 1972, at the age of 36, Barbara Jordan, who was an American lawyer and educator, became the youngest Black woman to serve in Congress. She was also the first African American to be elected from Texas!

By cultivating strong relationships with her colleagues, she empowered her voice and ensured it would be heard, which led her to become a champion of women's rights and civil liberties. She fiercely advocated for the Equal Rights Amendment and advancing health care policies. 

Her powerful voice resonated on the national stage, most notably during the Nixon impeachment hearings and her impactful Democratic National Convention keynote speech in 1976, where she passionately defended the Constitution. Many historians consider her address one of the top keynote speeches in modern history and we celebrate her work today and every day.

One senator said, “Her message united people from vastly different walks of life, bringing them together to stand as one and nod their heads in unison and say: ‘Yes, each one of us can make a difference, and together we can make this nation stronger.'”

Lauren is honored to hold a place in IL-14 alongside the trailblazers who came before her. Here are a few of the Black Illinoisans whose contributions helped shape the state we know today.

Lauren's leadership today isn't just a testament to the past, but a vital chapter in the ongoing story of community progress, inspiring the next generation of leaders across Illinois and the nation. 

Her dependable and effective approach to her work in Congress builds upon the legacy of those who came before, paving the way for a brighter future for all.

As Barbara Jordan’s leadership endures and remains relevant today, we can’t help but be moved by her conviction:

“Democracy cannot be saved by Superman, but only by the unswerving devotion and goodness of millions of middlemen.” “... I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction, of the Constitution.”

Black History Month is a testament to the indelible mark so many Black leaders have made on this nation and this month, we are even more inspired to keep pushing for equality and defending our fundamental rights.

Let’s carry on, not just in February, but in every chapter to come.

— Team Underwood