Today is Women’s Equality Day, marking the anniversary of the 19th Amendment certification, which first gave women the right to vote nationwide. But that day was not monumental for all American women — in 1920, when enough states ratified the Amendment, only white women were granted the right to vote.

It took decades later and a tremendous amount of activism for women of color to gain the right to cast their own ballots. And while this issue might seem far in the past, women’s equality and the racial disparities within women’s rights still exist today, both nationwide and in Maryland.

We must elect a governor who will be an ally to Maryland women, and I know my husband John King will be that leader. John recently released his goals to prioritize the needs of Maryland women, and I hope you will please take a moment to read it.

Maryland women face ever-present disparities. They make $0.86 for every dollar a man makes, with Black and brown women making even less. A quarter of female-led households in Maryland live below the poverty line. Women also face significant healthcare coverage gaps, and the lack of affordable, accessible, high-quality child care disproportionately impacts women.

Black women face uniquely significant challenges in Maryland. The maternal mortality rate for Black women in Maryland is almost four times higher than it is for white women. 80% of Black women are the primary breadwinners in their households yet are not guaranteed paid family leave.

These are obstacles that Maryland’s next governor must address. John is an ally for Maryland women and he will work towards solutions to the issues we face. So please, support our mission to elect an ally to all Maryland women by contributing to John’s campaign now.→

We must tirelessly work towards progress and not leave any community behind. Let us be reminded of that on this Women’s Equality Day as we aim towards a more just world.

Thank you,

Melissa King