For Black women who succeed as politicians, the job is fraught with challenges. But their insights into the lives of constituents– and the political system itself– are invaluable to democracy, government leaders and faculty agreed at a Rutgers-Newark Black History Month event.
“When Black women are at the table, things change,’’ said State Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, a Paterson native who represents District 35. “We’re not walking away from the table and leaving with nothing.’’
Sumter was one of three Democrat political veterans at the event who’ve forged local, state and national careers. The others were U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver of NJ District 10 and Essex County Commissioner A'Dorian Murray-Thomas.
The event, a conversation exploring the role of Black women in office, was moderated by Hyacinth Miller, a Rutgers-Newark professor of Political Science and Africana Studies, and hosted by the Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association and the Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America.
Renee Oliver, niece of the late Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, and president of the civic association, introduced the speakers, all of whom had been mentored by her aunt. ‘They are quite literally cut from the same cloth,’’ she said. “Each of them uplifts others and breaks barriers.’’
“We have a theme for this month. It is ‘Learning from Black Women,’’’ said James Jones, the center’s director. “We have an opportunity to learn from these women who are making history.’’
He added that it was especially important to study the past, and document the present, in light of the Trump administration’s dismantling of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts–a move that threatens lessons and events focusing on Black history.
All three women, political pioneers in New Jersey, started their careers at a young age. McIver, 38, became the first Black woman to represent NJ-10 last year and the youngest New Jerseyan to be elected to the United States House of Representatives. Before that, she was a Newark City Councilwoman, who credits her fifth-grade teacher, now Mayor Ras Baraka, with sparking an interest in politics during his first bid for mayor in 1994, a race he lost.
Murray-Thomas, 28, is the youngest serving member of the Essex County Board of Commissioners. At 23, she became the youngest ever member of the Newark school board.
Sumter’s godmother was Elease Evans, the first Black assemblywoman to represent Sumter’s district. When she became ill in 2012, she successfully urged Sumter to follow in her footsteps.
When Miller, who researches Black women political leaders, cited studies showing they receive more attacks based on gender and race than other politicians and receive less campaign funding–in part because they lack the same networks and wealthy donor base–the guests shared their own experiences. They recounted struggles to raise money and overcome the demands of being young Black women in a system still dominated by older white men
“Sometimes I see people hold the same roles as me and they don’t get nowhere near the disrespect,’’ said McIver. “But I keep myself lifted. My skin is as thick as a piece of leather.’’
She also described how a congressional colleague “who doesn’t look like me” was able to raise millions while it took multiple fundraisers and events for McIver to get half that much.
“It just goes to show you the disparities there,’’ she explained.
But all three women agreed that, despite personal and professional adversity, their work has been vital, not only for constituents but the nation’s well-being.
“We’re supposed to make life better for the American people,’’ said McIver. “We’re supposed to create laws and opportunities and betterment.’’
“Service is not about where you come from but how you use where you come from, and what it taught you, to bring something to the world,’’ said Murray-Thomas. “When any oppressed people get free, they contribute to the freedom for everyone. Our freedom and justice are interconnected.’’
She added, however, “Representation alone isn’t liberation…People need to be held accountable.’’
