Black women and women of color have a long history of political activism in the United States and in North Carolina specifically, fighting for civil rights, justice, and racial equity for more than a century. Yet Black women and women of color have been significantly underrepresented as officeholders at the state and federal levels. Of the 142 women serving in the 117th Congress, only 23 are Black. There is only one Black woman serving in North Carolina elected state executive offices.

This underrepresentation belies the importance of Black women and women of color as voters with many political analysts crediting the Democratic victories in 2018 and 2020—taking back control of the Congress and White House—on the turnout of these voters.

We know to begin addressing this gap, we must create alternative structures of training and support apparatuses to invest in Black women and women of color seeking political office. The Voices of Change Political Institute seeks to address this gap in representation of Black women and those of color in office by providing an institute that informs, prepares, and creates a lasting community to support future candidates.

In addition, the Voices of Change Oral History Project lifts up the stories of courageous Black women and women of color from the past to inspire a new generation of leaders to work toward political change.

The next time a woman of whatever color, or a dark-skinned person of whatever sex aspires to be President, the way should be a little smoother because I helped pave it.

Shirley Chisolm, The First Black U.S. Congresswoman

Pictured L-R: Eva Clayton, Jeanne Lucas, Linda Coleman, Elizabeth Cofield, Shirley Chisholm, Loretta Lynch, Ida B. Wells,

DeAndrea Salvador, Alma Adams, Pamela Brewington Cashwell, Elreta Melton Alexander-Ralston, Shinica Thomas

VOICES OF CHANGE | Meredith College | 3800 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27607 | legacies@meredith.edu

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