he achievements and contributions made by women to society will be celebrated throughout the month of March, observed as Women’s History Month.
This year’s observance comes as Black women are making significant strides across a variety of sectors, particularly in politics. In 2018, Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams became the first African American woman to be a major party gubernatorial candidate. While she did not win the race, Abrams was the first Black woman to deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address in February.
Ayanna Pressley made history when she became Massachusetts’ first Black congresswoman. She first broke barriers in 2009, when she was elected to the Boston City Council. A number of Democratic presidential candidates are seeking her endorsement.
Now many are eyeing Chicago as the city prepares to elect its first African American female mayor in April. Former federal prosecutor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle are vying for the office.
When U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris announced her 2020 presidential bid in January, she became the first African American female to formally enter the race. She portrayed herself as a fighter for justice, decency and equality in a video distributed by her campaign during her announcement.
Black women are continuing to blaze trails in the business world. In February, Amazon named Starbucks Corp. Chief Operating Officer Rosalind Brewer to its board, making her second black woman to have ever served as a director of the e-commerce giant.
Last year, Arlan Hamilton of Backstage Capital generated buzz when she announced her venture capital firm was raising $36 million to invest exclusively in Black female founders. This comes as a result of all venture deals done from 2012 to 2014, only 0.2 percent went to black female founders, according to a report by #ProjectDiane.
And Lauren Simmons, 24, made history as the youngest and only full-time female trader at the New York Stock Exchange. It was recently announced that a movie will be produced about Simmons’ life story.
While the accomplishments of these women are being recognized on the national stage, FunTimes magazine is marking Women’s History Month by featuring 15 local leaders who are leaving their mark on the Philadelphia region. These women are sharing the stories of their journeys and how they persevered in their respective professions.
