Credit: PBS Learning Media
Authors: Tamaya Dennard, Marvelous Maeze, Victoria Pelletier, and Ashley Thurston
The Seneca Falls Convention took place in July 1848 at the very beginning of the Women’s Suffrage Movement. As historical and groundbreaking as the Convention was, it does not come without heavy critique. We’d be remiss if we didn’t highlight the lack of intersectionality between white women and women of color during the convention and the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Black women, in particular, were not only absent but intentionally excluded from the monumental assembly that was held nearly 13 years before the American Civil War.
Black suffragettes like Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Mary Ann Shadd Cary, and Nannie Helen Burroughs remained steadfast in their resolve to attain the vote, inspiring like-minded groups and individuals to champion the cause for more than a century after Seneca Falls. Black Women were granted the full right to vote with the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. However, even today, the focus often remains centered on the experiences of the most privileged women, echoing the sentiments of the Seneca Falls Convention.
The gendered racialization of voting was deliberate and political. The denial of voting rights to Black women stemmed from pervasive racism and discriminatory practices deeply embedded in American society. The legacy of the enslavement of African peoples systematically deprived Black people in America of essential rights, including citizenship and suffrage. Even following emancipation, discriminatory laws like poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses were used to disenfranchise Black Americans, most notably women.
The framers of the Constitution reserved most rights for themselves and deemed women incapable of making sound decisions or self-representation. Nevertheless, in later years, some men became convinced that many white women would vote as their husbands did. They could not guarantee compliance from Black women in a country that had enslaved them and only counted them as three-fifths of a person until 1868 when the 14th Amendment granted them citizenship and “equal rights.”
White women were not indifferent to the disenfranchisement of Black women; instead, many simply did not perceive them as women—at least not in the same way they perceived themselves. This compartmentalization showcases how racism eclipses misogyny, fostering socially sanctioned pathways for white women to internalize and wield the misogyny they profess to oppose against one of the few groups that were pseudo-caste as "beneath" them in the racial and cultural hierarchy of that era: Black women.
Shirley Chisholm’s historic 1972 presidential campaign broke new ground, challenging racial and gender stereotypes. While her “unbossed and unbought” bid was ultimately unsuccessful, it marked a pivotal moment, inspiring generations of Black women to pursue leadership roles. Still, expanding and safeguarding Black women’s political participation faces challenges because gatekeepers of the ‘old boys club’ have made the winding road to elective office treacherous to navigate.
RepresentWomen’s 2024 Brief Breaking Barriers for Black Women Candidates identifies a lack of early investments by political parties, disparities in campaign funding, and an outdated plurality voting system among the primary concerns hindering progress. Implicit and explicit social biases rooted in misogyny and reductive stereotypes frequently portray Black women as less capable of leadership despite their proven track record of success when entrusted with leadership roles.
Grassroots movements and coalition building among Black women have proven a successful strategy to mitigate the roadblocks of running for office. This is best exemplified by the #WinWithBlackWomen call that saw over 40,000 Black women donors on Zoom, and 50,000 on other platforms unite to raise $1.5 million in 3 hours for Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. This historic event catalyzed Democratic donors to raise a record $100 million for Harris within 48 hours following President Biden’s announcement that he would not seek reelection. Initiatives like D4Women in Action have also created a pipeline for Black women to run, win, serve, and lead.
Black women have long been active participants in civic life by consistently voting, campaigning, and serving as poll workers. Their efforts have shaped American politics, but work still exists to level the uneven outcomes. Historically, only 0.4% of all members of Congress to date have identified as Black women. There has never been a Black woman governor of any U.S. state. Most notably, a Black woman has never held the highest office of President of the United States. By continuing the legacy of trailblazers like Sojourner Truth, Shirley Chisholm, and now Kamala Harris, we can foster a political landscape that genuinely reflects the diversity of our nation and advances the cause of justice for all.
Each time Black women navigate the political landscape, we are acutely aware of our marginalized history within this space. The fight for women's suffrage overlooked our existence, denying us the full recognition and rights afforded to others. While we celebrate the legacy of Seneca Falls and strive to increase women's representation, we must also confront the enduring question of Sojourner Truth: “Ain't I a woman?”
Our rights, voices, and votes are integral to the fabric of this nation. Black women have been the backbone of social and political progress, and our tireless efforts and sacrifices are undeniable. It is imperative that we are centered in this movement and given equitable opportunities to lead. The time for tokenism is over. We demand a seat at the table, not just a place in the margins.