Black women leaders applaud confirmation of Marcia Fudge as HUD secretary

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 to confirm Rep. Marcia Fudge as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Marcela Howell, president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, issued the following statement in response:

“We applaud the confirmation of Rep. Fudge as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Her appointment comes at a pivotal time when her leadership is sorely needed. The U.S. faces a severe housing crisis as millions of residents struggle to pay their rent and mortgages due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“In addition to dealing with the fallout from the pandemic-induced economic downturn, Rep. Fudge will have to clean up the housing policy mess left by the last administration. Black women and their families suffered immensely under Trump’s housing policies, which weakened protections against discrimination. Now, HUD must clean house and get back to the business of ensuring all U.S. residents have access to safe, affordable housing.

“In Our Own Voice praises the Senate’s confirmation of Rep. Fudge and we encourage the senators to continue to confirm the president’s other appointees. President Biden promised to have a cabinet that truly reflects the people of our country. A government by the people, for the people and of the people must include women and people of color — including the women of color being held up by the Senate. Confirm them now!”
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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.