Minority women make gains in politics
On Wednesday morning, Brown appeared dejected. Despite what many had believed possible, Trump secured the presidency, sparking fear among Muslims, people of color, LGBTQ folx, and women, among other marginalized groups. Professors postponed assignments, and almost every on-campus organization sent out emails about self-care and support.The sadness in the face of a Trump presidency overshadowed some progress America also made on Tuesday. In her incredibly poised concession speech on Wednesday, Hillary Clinton made a plea, “to all the little girls who are watching this: Never doubt that you are valuable, and powerful, and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.” And despite the sexism, racism, and homophobia that prevailed on a national level, incredible women who won their races on Tuesday have already spread that message, and will continue to do so. The presidency might have gone to Trump, but these women prove that not all of America buys into his rhetoric.In Nevada, Catherine Cortez Masto became the first Latina woman elected to Congress. Cortez Masto is the granddaughter of a Mexican immigrant, and as part of her campaign platform, promises to encourage bipartisan compromises. California elected Kamala Harris, the first biracial woman elected to the Senate, and only the second black woman in the Senate ever. In her victory speech (which you should definitely watch), Harris addressed the somber mood of Democrats facing Trump’s win. “Do not despair. Do not be overwhelmed. Do not throw up our hands when it is time to roll up our sleeves and fight for who we are," she said.In just one of two races that flipped seats in the Senate, Rep. Tammy Duckworth won a seat in the Senate for
Illinois. The daughter of a Vietnam War veteran and a Thai Chinese mother, Rep. Duckworth became the first Thailand-born member of the Senate. A veteran of the Iraq War, Duckworth is the first female in the Senate to have served in combat, and the second Asian-American woman to serve in the Senate. Duckworth was the first female double amputee from the Iraq war, and also the first woman with a disability to serve in the Senate (wow, that was a whole lot of firsts!!).In New Hampshire, Maggie Hassan became the fourth woman to prevail in the Senate, bringing the number to 21, an all-time high. Hassan graduated from Brown in 1980, and her senate race was one of the tightest in the nation. Ultimately, she won by less than 1,000 votes.The West Coast kept bringing the country firsts, with California, Oregon, and Washington all boasting women shattering the political class ceiling. Oregon elected the country’s first openly LGBTQ governor Kate Brown. Although Brown had already served as governor for two years because her successor stepped down amidst scandal, she is the first to be elected. Washington elected Pramila Jayapal, the first Indian-American woman to serve in the House of Representatives. Kamala Harris, the first biracial woman elected to the Senate, is also the first Indian-American woman in the Senate.Women and minorities continued to prevail on the state and local level as well, fighting against the hate Trump stoked. Just a few days after Trump made a speech in Minnesota claiming Somali immigrants were making the 
state a “disaster,” Ilhan Omar was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. She is the first Somali-American woman elected to a legislature in the country, and the first Muslim woman to serve in an elected office in Minnesota. Omar is the definition of a resilient and badass woman. Born in Somalia, her family fled to Kenya when she was just eight, where they spent four years in a Kenyan refugee camp, and moved United States when she was 12. Omar ran on a platform that included criminal reform and affordable college. Her victory in the face of a Trump presidency that targets many of Omar’s identities is a strong statement indeed.The victory of these women reminds Brown students, and the country, that feminism has not been crushed, and equality and love will prevail in the end. Trump might have won the Electoral College, but Clinton won the popular vote, proving that even by the slimmest margin, acceptance has a majority. Many other women and minorities won office on a state and local level, and they will fight for all Americans who reject hate. And for the four new women Senators, their terms are six years, while Trump’s presidency is only four. They will still be there when he leaves, and they will rebuild our country with us.Images via, via, via
