The first woman and poc Vice President of the U.S.
After a stressful election season, on November 7th, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris won the election. Out on the bustling streets of New York City, you could hear the pots and pans banging, the music filling the streets, and feel exhilaration engulf the air. For many Democrats, this was a big win. But even a bigger win for women across the United States.
For one, Kamala Harris makes history as she becomes the first woman of color to become vice president! Despite your political party, a POC woman obtaining power in the government opens the door for many more women who identify with Kamala Harris.
But let’s talk about rights. Biden has stated, “every issue is a women’s issue — health care, the economy, education, national security — but women are also uniquely and disproportionately impacted by many policies.”
Joe Biden has claimed to continue the “The Lilly Ledbetter Act Fair Pay Act”, an act that prioritizes closing the wage gap and paycheck discrimination. This includes the discrimination of pregnant and nursing workers in the workplace.
He plans to continue the “The Affordable Care Act”, an act that will allow women to access free preventative care, this includes contraceptives. Though many women have opposing ideas on contraceptives and organizations like “Plant Parenthood”, it leaves the door open for many women who seek these services. This also focuses on intersectional women who face discrimination due to their race, sexuality, disabilities, etc.
He plans to help end the violence against women. For years, women have been likely to face domestic abuse within a household, be murdered, and much more unimaginable acts. Living in NY, I have seen many women, especially of color, kidnapped, murdered, and raped with no consequences enacted. Though Biden will not be able to end the violence completely, he pledges to use his power to aid us towards a safer future for women. This means protecting immigrant women, keeping guns out of the hands of abusers, supporting survivors of abuse, and investing in the well-being of adolescents of color.
Though President-elect Joe Biden has made these claims that will lead women to a better future, we have to hold Biden accountable. I hope that these next four years open doors for more women like me and those after me.
Likely, as stated by Kamala Harris:
“My mother would look at me and she’d say, ‘Kamala, you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you are not the last’” - Kamala Harris