Black women leaders applaud Clarke to DOJ

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

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Senate voted 51-48 to confirm Kristen Clarke to serve as assistant attorney general for civil rights. She is the first Black woman to serve in the position. Marcela Howell, president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, issued the following statement:

“We applaud the confirmation of Kristen Clarke to serve in a top position in the Department of Justice. She is an outstanding attorney and stalwart advocate for and guardian of human and civil rights. On a day when we observe the first anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, Kristen Clarke’s confirmation is a much-needed sign of hope for restoring justice in the U.S.

“Kristen Clarke joins a new team of leaders of the Department of Justice (DOJ), who are working to dismantle white supremacy, eliminate systemic racism and shore up voting and civil rights. Black women, femmes, girls and gender-expansive people suffered horrific abuses under the Trump administration’s Department of Justice, which gutted civil rights protections while ignoring blatant law enforcement abuses against people of color — including police violence resulting in the deaths of countless Black people.

“In Our Own Voice is heartened and excited to have a seasoned civil rights advocate and woman of color heading the civil rights division at the DOJ. We look forward to working with Kristen Clarke to tackle the injustices Black people face.”

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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.