December 3, 2019
Ms. Foundation Responds to the End of Senator Kamala Harris’ Presidential Campaign
Ms. Foundation Responds to the End of Senator Kamala Harris’ Presidential Campaign
NEW YORK (December 3, 2019) – Ms. Foundation for Women President and CEO Teresa C. Younger released the following statement in response to the announcement that Senator Kamala Harris will end her candidacy for President of the United States:
“While we are disappointed to see a woman end her time in the race, we thank Senator Harris and her team for the energy they have invested in the 2020 presidential race. Senator Harris is the third Black woman to run for president in our nation’s history, following in the footsteps of leaders like Shirley Chisholm and Carol Mosley-Braun and advancing the movement towards racial and gender equity.
“Senator Harris’ voice and the voices of women of color nationwide are critical to our democracy. They are often the first – and only – candidates to put issues impacting women and people of color on the map. It is no surprise that the only Black woman in the race was also the first to demand executive action to stop gun violence, the first to call for blocks on unconstitutional attacks on reproductive justice, and the first speak to the authentic experiences of Black women across the country who sit at the frontlines of every modern social justice movement.
“Senator Harris brought her lived experience to the campaign trail and continues to do so even as she steps out of the race. While we will miss her voice in the race for presidency, we look forward to hearing from her in the Senate and in the communities she serves.
“It is critical that political parties continue to listen to leaders like Senator Harris, and the grassroots leadership of women of color who are doing the work on the ground. They cannot dismiss our concerns as ‘identity politics.’ Those identities shape our lived experiences, and give us the leadership and insights needed to create a more equitable future.
“Women of color are not monolithic, and Senator Harris’ voice, alongside that of many women and people of color in politics, are a cornerstone of our democracy. The Ms. Foundation and our grantee partners will continue to fight for a country where women of every color and creed are valued and respected as equals.”
Ms. Foundation spokespeople are available for interviews by phone or in-person from NYC. To schedule, please contact Sunshine Sachs at [email protected].
###
For 45 years, the Ms. Foundation for Women has worked to build women’s collective power in the U.S. to advance equity and justice for all. The Ms. Foundation invests in, and strengthens the capacity of women led movements to advance meaningful social, cultural, and economic change in the lives of women. With equity and inclusion as the cornerstones of true democracy, the Ms. Foundation works to create a world in which the worth and dignity of every person are valued, and power and possibility are not limited by gender, race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or age.