The Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls is a caucus of the United States Congress founded in 2016 to advance issues and legislation important to the welfare of women and girls of African descent.[1][2]
Founding
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In response to the tragedy of Sandra Bland, the caucus was inspired and created by the #SheWoke Committee: Ifeoma Ike, Esq., Nakisha Lewis, Sharon Copper (sister of Sandra Bland), Tiffany Hightower, Shambulia Gadsden Sams, Sharisse "She-Salt" Stancil-Ashford, and Avis Jones-DeWeever, Ph.D. – seven leading black women activists who consistently advocate for the global equity of black women and girls.[2]
Co-Chairs
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- Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman(2016–present)
- Rep. Robin Kelly (2016–present)
- Rep. Yvette Clarke (2016–present)
Introduced Legislation
editLegislation H.R. 8196, "Protect Black Women and Girls Act of 2020," was introduced on 9/11/2020, with the purpose of determining where discrimination occurs across multiple economic and educational platforms, and to find socially acceptable ways of reducing it. It is sought out to ensure accountability and study the societal impact of the conditions and experiences.[3]
The MOMMAs Act (Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness Act) H.R. 8197, introduced March 27, 2019, would help provide support for women's prenatal and postnatal care to help prevent premature death of both mothers and their newborns. Co-founder of the Caucus, Robin Kelly stated, "For three years, the Caucus Black Women and Girls has worked to specifically address the needs of African American women and girls, their families and their communities," "As the recent CDC report shows, one of the most pressing issues facing black women is maternal mortality. Since introducing the MOMMAs Act two years ago, I've tried to use each Caucus event and symposium to bring awareness to this issue."[4]
Events
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April, 2017 the Caucus hosted an event to promote discussions and find solutions for the issue of the disproportionate number of missing women and girls of color in the United States. Approximately 40% of sex trafficking victims are black, and women are more likely to be victimized than men. [5]
Co-chair, Rep. Robin Kelly, represented the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls in July, 2017 during a roundtable discussion held in California. The purpose of the discussion was to deliberate policy improvements for imprisoned women and girls of African descent.[6]
August, 2017 the "Woke at All Ages" event was held at the University of Chicago to encourage African American women and girls to participate in leadership roles within their communities. Featured speakers included State Rep. Juliana Stratton, Dr. Jifunza Wright Carter, Sophia Byrd, and Karli Butler.[7]
May, 2019, an event was held at the Matteson Holiday Inn to praise mothers of African American heritage, highlighting the MOMMA’s Act, which alerts to the health and wellness issues of mothers and their newborns.[8]
Conflicts
editIn June, 2019 the Caucus on Black Women and Girls spoke out about the reproductive rights of women after an African American woman was charged with manslaughter of her unborn child. The women allegedly caused a fight that resulted in her being shot in the stomach.[9]
In October, 2020, the CBWG criticized the current President, Donald Trump, for discriminatory comments he made about Senator Kamala Harris. In response to President Trump’s remark, “This monster that was onstage with Mike Pence,” CBWG co-chairs, along with Congresswoman, Barbara Lee replied “We find this language unacceptable and we condemn the image the President attempted to invoke categorically and in the strongest possible terms.”[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "It's Official: We Now Have a Congressional Caucus For Black Women and Girls". Essence. Retrieved 2019-08-31.
- ^ a b Workneh, Lilly (2016-03-22). "There's Now Officially A Congressional Caucus On Black Women And Girls". HuffPost. Retrieved 2019-08-31.
- ^ "H.R. 8196 - Protect Black Women and Girls Act of 2020". Congress.Gov. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "H.R. 8197 - MOMMA's Act". Congress.Gov. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Duster, C (27 April 2017). "Congressional Leaders call for Action on Missing Women and Girls". NBC News. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Washington: Rep. Bass Hosts Rep. Robin Kelly, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls, for Roundtable Discussion in South Los Angeles". US Official News. 13 July 2017.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls Encourages African American Women Across Generations to Undertake Leadership Roles". eNews Park Forest. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls Highlights Contributions, Challenges of African American Mothers". States News Service. 6 May 2019.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Caucus on Black Women and Girls Cochairs Express Outrage at Criminalization of Miscarriage in Charges for Alabama Woman". States News Service. 28 June 2019.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Rep. Barbara Lee Joins Congressional Black Caucus Women and Caucus on Black Women and Girls in Denouncing Trump's Disrespectful Comments about Senator Kamala Harris". States News Service. 9 October 2020.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)