News

#Herstory! Here Are the Women of Color Who Made History in the 2018 Midterm Election

–

Photo Credit: Getty Images

In the voice of Beyonce, who run the world? Girls!

Barriers are breaking down and the glass ceilings have shattered. And despite all that happened during the elections at the polls across the country we have so much to be thankful for. First off, the Democrats won control of the House. And Florida passed the Amendment 4, “which restores voting rights for people previously convicted of felonies who have served their sentences.”

In addition, women of color made history this midterm election. New York Times reports, “more than a quarter of all candidates running this year are female, including 84 women of color – 42{cf74dfb42c160c86fab84d92af628b92d0859125321fa10dc87be72131d49b21} increase from just two years ago.” Keep in mind we are updating this article as the results continue to roll in.

Take a look at the some of the women who made history Tuesday night (November 7th).
 

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ

Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (

Photo Cred: Scott Eisen/Getty

Bronx native and Democratic socialist became one of the two youngest women ever elected to Congress beating Senior Congressman Joe Crowley.

AYANNA PRESSLEY

Ayanna Pressley
Photo Credit: JOSEPH PREZIOSO/Getty

 The 44-year-old will be the first Black woman to represent Massachusetts in Congress. Pressley made history when she became the first woman of color to be elected to the Boston City Council.

RASHIDA TLAIB
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rashida Tlaib is one of the first two Muslim women to ever be elected to the United States Congress, elected as the U.S. representative for the 13th congressional district in Michigan. – – Tlaib hails from Detroit, born to Palestinian immigrant parents, claiming that most of her strength comes from her mother and from the fact that she is a proud Palestinian. – – She made history in 2008 by winning a seat on the Michigan legislature, becoming the first Muslim woman to do so. Her campaign platform included pledges to secure a $15 minimum wage, protecting Medicare and Social Security, and to fight against tax breaks for wealthy corporations. – – During a time when #Islamaphobia is rampant in this country, with a Supreme Court that upheld the Muslim ban, and a president who continues to demonize Muslims, wins like these mean the world. – -Mubruk @rashidatlaib – – #Muslim #muslimwomen #rashidatlaib #congress #electionday #election2018 #michigan #badasswomen #girlboss #feminism #womenempowerment #feminist #womensupportingwomen #femaleempowerment #inspirationalquotes #inspiration #motivation #womencrushwednesday #WCW #instagood #resist #vote

A post shared by Soul Food & Sisterhood (@patriarchywarrior) on

 

Rashida will be the first Muslim woman to be elected to Congress for the state of Michigan. She is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, making her also the first Palestian-American woman in Congress.

IIHAN OMAR     
 

 

IIhan will also be the first Muslim woman to be elected to Congress for the state of Minnesota. She moved to the United States as a refugee, will be the first Somali-American to serve in Congress.

VERONICA ESCOBAR & SYLVIA GARCIA
 

 

These two ladies will be the first Latinas to represent Texas in Congress. Escobar won the vote for Texas’16th District. Garcia defeated Republican Phillip Aronoff in TX-29.

YOUNG KIM

Young Kim
Photo Credit: ROBYN BECK /Getty

You are looking at the first Korean-American congresswoman. She won the race against Democrat Gil Cisneros in California’s 39th District.

SHARICE DAVIDS & DEB HAALAND
 

 

Davids and Haaland are the first Indigenous women ever elected to Congress. Davids defeated Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder in Kansas’ 3rd District. Haaland won the votes for New Mexico’s 1st District.