As the DNC gathers this weekend to choose a new party chair, they would be wise to listen to the progressive, feminist voice of Jehmu Greene.
Women, especially women of color, have been the backbone of the Democratic Party for many years, and this was abundantly clear in the 2016 elections. Let’s not forget that in 2016, Democrats adopted the most progressive, feminist platform ever, and Hillary Clinton made history by winning the popular vote by 3 million. Women’s voices, articulated by next generation leaders like Jehmu Greene, need to be prominent, not sidelined, in the debate over the future direction of the Democratic Party.
As the Republican Party becomes more and more entrenched in advancing a white supremacist misogynistic agenda, our nation needs a political party that will fight for us — even when the experts insist we can’t win. Even when the consultants insist on taking for granted — and therefore turning away from — women and communities of color. Even when they say we can’t overcome the dark money of the radical right.
We need at least one of our major political parties to stand for real democracy, for shared prosperity, for social, racial, economic and gender justice.
Jehmu Greene knows that in order to succeed, the DNC needs to be bolder than ever — including setting moonshot goals of 80 percent voter turnout and full gender parity in elective office; ensuring at least half of staff and consultants be women or women-owned businesses and at least half be people of color or minority-owned businesses; and transforming donor participation so the majority of funds come from grassroots fundraising.
NOW has not historically made endorsements in intra-party elections; nevertheless, we deeply appreciate Jehmu Greene’s courage and vision, and we urge the party to embrace the priorities she has laid out.