John,

Today marks the first day of Black History Month. I am keenly aware, this and every month, of the Black women on whose shoulders we stand in our struggle for equality in America -- some of them known to history, and many whose contributions never made it to history books.

The distance our country still has to go when it comes to equal representation in politics is striking. We know that there are not enough Black women in elected office, and we know one reason why. In 2018, Black women running for office raised 55% less than white women. In other words, it's a steeper climb for Black women, and I take it as a personal imperative in my role as EMILY's List president to help level the playing field.

This is a wake-up call for all of us in the political sphere: We cannot have representation, we cannot have justice, without a government that reflects the people it serves. EMILY's List is devoted to raising the critical early money it takes to help Democratic pro-choice women launch, run, and WIN races up and down the ballot and across the country. And that's not just a February promise -- that's a founding principle.

Even with the work left to be done -- including electing state Sen. Jennifer McClellan to be the first Black congresswoman from Virginia in just three weeks! -- we remain hopeful. We know that with every Democratic pro-choice Black woman that EMILY's List endorses, supports, and helps elect, the more we'll see progress and legislation that recognizes our shared humanity and our role in making our nation a more perfect Union.

In solidarity,

Laphonza Butler
President, EMILY's List


EMILY's List
P.O. Box 96612
Washington, DC 20077
United States


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