By Ashley Braun, Public Policy Intern, and Rachel Piazza, PAC Intern
Assistant U.S. attorney, Illinois state representative, U.S. senator, U.S. ambassador, presidential candidate, entrepreneur…and the next mayor of Chicago?
The Honorable Carol Moseley Braun, the first African-American woman elected to the United States Senate, recently announced her candidacy for Mayor of Chicago! Moseley Braun has served at every level of government — local, state federal and international. Her lifelong commitment to public service continues now as she works for a new vision for her hometown of Chicago.
With an influx of new conservative women elected to the 112th Congress and the first decrease in the percentage of women overall in Congress in decades, the re-entrance of Moseley Braun into politics could not have come at a better time.
It is imperative that feminist women step up to the challenge and run for elected office. Women need feminist representation, now more than ever, at the local, state and national level. Moseley Braun serves as a shining example of this leadership and stands as a beacon for women to follow in this repressive, anti-feminist storm.
As an advisory co-chair on NOW’s National Board and an inspirational keynote speaker at the 1992, 2004 and 2010 National NOW Conferences, Moseley Braun has always been committed to the fight for gender equality. Throughout her career, Moseley Braun has been a consistent and strong voice for equal opportunity, reproductive freedom, social and economic justice, pay equity, retirement dignity for women and communities of color and eliminating all forms of discrimination.
As Mayor of Chicago, Moseley Braun promises to continue fighting for women’s rights as well as supporting equal education and job creation. Moseley Braun, with her proven ability to bring people together, plans to build a coalition that will represent Chicago’s diverse constituency.
Now is the time to mirror Moseley Braun’s resolve in our own lives. Feminists must run for office, and we must vote for those who stand with us. The fight for women’s rights continues to be an uphill battle, but it is a battle nonetheless, and one we must keep fighting.
Read more about Moseley Braun’s campaign and extensive experience on her website.