The U.S. Senate will have 2 Black women serving at the same time for the first time in history
Representation Matters
DELMARVA – History was made on Delmarva this election cycle, and when it comes to the U.S. Senate, it it’ll will be a bit more diverse.
In the 235-year history of the Senate there has not been more than one Black woman at a time representing the country, and next year, there will be two!
Delaware State University History and Political Science professor Dr. Donna A. Patterson speaks on what this means to the black community. “This definitely gives them an example. and have them think about these things in new ways. You have a lot of people running for State Office’s in Delaware, but you know maybe they’ll run for higher state offices, and we’ve had some of that. Right now, I don’t believe the State of Delaware has ever had a Black governor for instance, so there are possibilities there.”
Only 11 Black people have served in the Senate, and only 3 have been women. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester will be the First Black Senator from Delaware, and the first woman overall to represent the State. “Historically in Delaware, these positions have been filled by White Men. And so, she’s diversifying in two areas, but I think there’s also room for the future. To think about other people of color, other Black Folks, Hispanic Folks, conceivably, more women in these high offices in the state of Delaware,” says Dr. Patterson.
More than 2,000 Senators have served throughout US History and next year, there will be a record of 5 Black Senators. “We will have representation and a voice, that we’ve never had before. Which is actually strange to say considering that the state of Maryland has the largest Black Caucus in the United States. so, this is long overdue,” says Brooks of the NAACP.
Angela Alsobrooks will be the first Black woman to represent Maryland and the second woman to represent the state. Monica Brooks of the Wicomico County NAACP tells us that different communities have different needs. “There’s so many people that do not recognize or acknowledge others in any ways possible. They have absolutely no experience with their experiences, nor do they care, right? So, it’s important to have diversity implemented so that everyone’s voice can be heard, because we are different.”
Those two aren’t the only ones making history this election cycle. In Delaware, Sarah McBride is the first openly transgender person elected to congress. Last but not least, Suhas Subramanyam makes history as first Indian American and Hindu elected from Virginia to the U.S. Congress.
