Black Women Cheer Warnock and Ossoff Georgia Senate Wins as Black Women-Led Victory for Reproductive Justice

Statement by In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda President and CEO Marcela Howell

WASHINGTON — Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff won their run-off races and will represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate. In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda President and CEO Marcela Howell issued the following statement:

“Congratulations to all of the Black women who organized and turned out the vote in Georgia — especially our In Our Own Voice partner organizations SisterLove, Inc. and SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW. Tuesday’s election was historic and will have a monumental impact on the entire country.

“In electing Raphael Warnock, the first Black person to serve in the U.S. Senate from Georgia, the South will seat its first Black U.S. senator since reconstruction. His colleague, Jon Ossoff, will be the first Jewish person in the U.S. Senate from Georgia. These two senators-elect have not only made history, but they also provide a major change in leadership in the U.S. Senate — providing support for progressive change that can undo much of the damage inflicted upon the nation by the racist, sexist Trump administration and his supporters in Congress.

“Yet again, Black women stepped in and stepped up to lead the country toward justice and equality. But while Black women celebrated, we also witnessed the dangerous actions of white supremacists as they stormed the Capitol in a dangerous attempt to undermine our democracy and discard the votes of Black communities. We will not rest as we continue to organize to lead the country to a systemic change. We will hold all of the people we elected to office accountable to us and our agenda for Reproductive Justice.

“To them, we say: You got our votes; now get our backs! We demand that the new Congress and administration take immediate action to protect and advance Black women’s rights and health. We look forward to working with our elected leaders to make America live up to its promise of liberty and justice for all.”

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In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda is a national-state partnership focused on lifting up the voices of Black women leaders at the national and regional levels in our fight to secure reproductive justice for all women, femmes and girls. Our eight strategic partners are Black Women for Wellness, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, SisterLove, Inc. SisterReach, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, The Afiya Center and Women With A Vision.