John — today and every day, we celebrate the progress and legacy of trailblazers and organizations working for representation, civil rights, and racial justice.

Illinois has a storied history of Black trailblazers — and Lauren is no stranger to working alongside them. Here’s when President Obama endorsed her first election in 2018:

Lauren was appointed by President Obama to serve as a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and then received his endorsement when running for Congress. 

In a passionate campaign speech, President Obama said Lauren “will protect your care” — and that’s exactly what she’s done in Congress. (Happy Presidents’ Day, by the way!)

One of Lauren’s biggest role models, Senator Carol Moseley Braun, is another Illinois pioneer who broke down barriers for Black women. In 1993, she became the first woman from Illinois, and the first Black woman in America, to serve in the U.S. Senate.

And of course, we can’t forget one of Lauren’s greatest inspirations, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, who built a path so that Lauren’s was possible. She famously said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

As the youngest Black woman ever to serve in Congress, Lauren brings her own chair, too — and she’ll continue to, ensuring that future leaders who follow in her footsteps will always have a spot on the trail she, Congresswoman Chisholm, Senator Moseley Braun, President Obama, and so many others have blazed.

John, can you chip in $3 now to help support Lauren’s reelection and continue to build on the legacy of our country’s Black trailblazers?

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately:

— Team Underwood