When Jimmy Carter became president in 1977, he didn't just move into the White House. He also opened doors for Black women in politics. One of the first people he welcomed was Alexis M. Herman, a young woman running a minority women's employment program in Atlanta. Carter quickly saw her potential and appointed her as director of the Women’s Bureau, making her the yo...
After the 2023 election, a notable conversation emerged. Jamal Bryant, the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, had a unique message for the Black women in his congregation. His fiancée, now wife, Rev. Karri Turner, encouraged them to take a break from political engagement. "It's time for a pause, " she said. "We're just taking...
Imagine a day filled with pampering and powerful conversations. That's exactly what happened when Bevy Smith, a popular figure in the city, brought together a group of friends for a special event. Among them was Ronika Alexander-Parrish, who works as the US Medical Director for Health Equity, Vaccines, and Antivirals at Pfizer. Their discussion focused on the signifi...
The 2024 election brought a wave of disappointment for many Black women. Teja Smith, founder of Get Social, feels the country has spoken and it's time to take a step back. After Trump's win, despite his divisive rhetoric and actions, many Black women are reevaluating their role in politics and social movements. Black women have historically been at the forefront of t...
When Donald Trump won re-election, many Black women felt disheartened and started rethinking their roles as political organizers. These women have historically been at the forefront of social and political change in the US, but after Trump's victory, some are considering taking a step back. They've been the backbone of democracy, enthusiastically supporting candidate...
Pinky Cole, a successful vegan food entrepreneur, woke up feeling drained after the presidential election results. She had built her business from scratch in just a few years, but today, she felt emotionally exhausted. "I'm sad, " she shared with ESSENCE. This election, she said, affected her differently than before because now she's a business owner. Many other Bla...
In the world of politics, few names command as much respect as Barbara Lee. Her journey began when she joined Shirley Chisholm's presidential campaign in 1972, an event that sparked her lifelong passion for public service. Over the decades, Lee has made history as the first Black woman elected to the California State Senate from Northern California and has served in ...
In Maryland, Angela Alsobrooks is making waves in the U. S. Senate race. With a solid background in public service, she's breaking barriers as a Black woman running for this important seat. A recent poll shows she's leading her Republican opponent, former Governor Larry Hogan, by a significant margin. Alsobrooks has served as Prince George's County State’s Attorney a...
Lisa Blunt Rochester, who made history in 2016 as the first Black person and first woman from Delaware elected to Congress, is now aiming to make another mark on history. She's running for the Senate, hoping to become the first Black woman to represent Delaware in that chamber. Polls show her with a substantial lead over her Republican opponent, and she's got key end...
Do you remember your first period? Talking about it can be tough, but a new film called 'ME Period' is changing the game. Created by the Black Women's Health Imperative, this movie features real stories and mother-daughter duos like Tabitha and Choyce Brown. It's all about getting honest about menstrual health, especially for Black women and girls who often don't get...