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The road to the American presidency is long and fraught with challenges, but six remarkable Black women have dared to step onto that path, each making their mark on the political landscape. Their campaigns have not only pushed the boundaries of American politics but have also opened doors for future generations.
Vice President Kamala Harris is now among the intrepid Black women determined to claim the highest office in the land. On Sunday, she officially launched her presidential campaign, aiming to secure the Democratic nomination. Her campaign quickly gained momentum, thanks in part to the enthusiasm of grassroots supporters and party allies, who helped her raise an impressive $250 million to fuel her efforts.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted on July 23 and July 24, Harris is narrowly leading former President Donald Trump, with 44% to Trump’s 42%. This strong showing underscores Harris’ dedication to addressing the needs of American voters, reflecting a commitment to public service that continues from her previous 2020 presidential bid.
In January 2019, Harris, then a freshman senator, kicked off her campaign before a crowd of 20,000 enthusiastic supporters in Oakland, California. Despite an initial boost in popularity, with 11% support, she trailed behind frontrunners Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, both seasoned presidential contenders.
Harris, known for her tenure as California Attorney General and her reputation as a formidable prosecutor, made a significant impact in Senate hearings. A pro-Harris super PAC even prepared a high-profile ad featuring her intense questioning of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Trump-era Attorneys General William Barr and Jeff Sessions. However, the $1 million ad campaign was never aired as Harris withdrew from the race on the very day it was set to launch.
When she exited the 2020 race, Harris faced challenges including dwindling funds, a lack of a clear message, and an uncoordinated campaign operation. Despite these setbacks, her renewed bid for the presidency highlights her resilience and unwavering commitment to leading at the highest level.
Harris isn’t the only Black woman who has dared to run for president. Here’s a look at six Black women who have made history by running for president of the United States.
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Shirley Chisholm (1972)
Shirley Chisholm was a groundbreaking figure in American politics. As the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968, her 1972 presidential run was historic. The change maker made history, becoming the first Black woman to compete for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Running on the slogan “Unbought and Unbossed,” she aimed to represent marginalized voices and challenge the status quo. Her campaign was a catalyst for future Black women in politics. During her campaign run, she “prioritized issues related to the employment and education sectors, as she had a background in education,” History noted.
“She realized at a certain point that nobody’s going to give her an opportunity unless she makes the opportunity happen for herself, and she could do that because she had been employed as a school teacher, she had saved money and had a stable home life, and she was supported by a group of political activists in her political district,” Shola Lynch, the director of the 2004 documentary, CHISHOLM ’72: Unbought & Unbossed, told the outlet.
Chisholm passed away in 2005.
Isabell Masters
Kansas native Isabell Masters, a mother of six, founded her own political party, Looking Back, and also ran on the Republican ticket. She made an impressive five presidential bid beginning in 1984 and again in the 1992, 1996, 2000 and the 2004 presidential campaigns. Her five campaigns are the most ever by a woman in U.S. history.
Notably, in the 2000 election, Masters was a write-in candidate in Kansas, competing against George W. Bush and Al Gore, the Topeka-Capital Journal noted. The political star focused on addressing civil rights and racial equality issues, as reported by the outlet.
Masters passed away in 2011.
Monica Moorehead (1996)
Monica Moorehead, a writer and political activist, ran for president multiple times with the Workers World Party, according to the Independent Political Report. On Nov. 8, 2015, at the Workers World Party’s national conference in New York City, the party announced its 2016 presidential ticket, with Moorehead as the nominee. She had previously been the WWP’s presidential candidate in 1996 and 2000, with Gloria La Riva as her running mate on both occasions.
In 1996, Moorehead appeared on the ballot in 12 states and garnered around 29,000 votes, representing 0.3% of the total votes cast— the best performance ever for a WWP candidate in a presidential election. In 2000, she received 4,795 votes and was on the ballot only in Florida, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.
In 2000, Michael Moore controversially blamed Moorehead for costing Al Gore the state of Florida and, ultimately, the presidency, rather than attributing the loss to Ralph Nader.
Dr. Lenora Fulani (1988 and 1992)
Dr. Lenora Fulani made history as the first Black woman to appear on the presidential ballot in all 50 states. Running for the New Alliance Party in 1988 and 1992, Fulani advocated for educational reform and economic justice, breaking down barriers for future Black women candidates.
The Democrat, born April 25, 1950, received 31,089 votes, or 0.77% of the total vote during her 1998 presidential bid. Fulani ran again as the New Alliance candidate in the 1992 presidential election, where she secured 0.07% of the vote. Her political focus included advancing racial equality, gay rights, and political reform, with a particular emphasis on promoting third-party involvement.
Joy Chavis Rocker
In 2000, Joy Chavis Rocker entered the race as a Republican, but her road to the White House began over a decade earlier in 1999. Tampa Bay reported that Rocker initiated a presidential exploratory committee to gauge interest in a potential run for the office in the late ’90s. At the time, the registered Republican expressed a desire to challenge the Democratic dominance among black voters.
Cynthia McKinney
The former U.S. Representative from Georgia and a well-known political activist. McKinney ran for president as the Green Party candidate in the 2008 election. Her campaign focused on various progressive issues, including environmental justice and social equality.
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