Inside Look: Black Female Leaders Within Politics

By Madison Langweil

WESTCHESTER – Five nodding heads and five pairs of doughty eyes were those of five unique women who demonstrated strength and commitment as black female leaders in the world of politics and justice. On Wednesday, March 24, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Westchester Alumnae Chapter hosted the “Unbought & Unbossed: Black leadHERs in Politics& Justice” virtual event.

Mũthoni Wambu Kraal, moderator of the event, actively engaged panelists: Letita James, New York State Attorney General; Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Majority Leader of New York State Senate; Kathie E. Davidson, NY State Administrative Judge; and Tamika D. Mallory, Social Justice Leader and Movement Strategist in a discussion about their personal inspirations, current endeavors and their efforts to bring and retain justice in various communities.

“I am the first woman who has ever had this position in New York’s history and when I came into that room, I knew I was bringing the hopes and the dreams and the promise of so many who have come before me,” Senator Stewart-Cousins said. “We are going to have to forge a path that is going to allow other people to walk on that path.”

In Senator Stewart-Cousins’ wide range of experience, she has felt as a woman and one of color, that her presence was to be of purpose and of importance. She aimed to voice ideas and opinions that were necessary to better the life of people.

In the midst of a world ran by men, Mallory felt she wouldn’t be sitting here today if it wasn’t for the courage and boldness of other women supporters. In her experience, nothing could be led if there weren’t any people to help spread that message to others and broaden public awareness. She has learned that balance is key; especially when her son’s father was killed.

“This is what they’ve been saying. All my life they’ve been trying to teach me about inequities, they’ve been trying to teach me about the dangers and the pitfalls of being black in America.”

“I truly do believe that if we center the people who are hurting the most, people who are the most impacted, [then] all the solutions are right there,” Mallory said. “Those individuals know the direction we need to take to get free. ”

All the bruises and the scars these female leaders received from their work in legislation, activism and in legal matters are there to remind them to persevere and continue to look ahead into the future. “Being a good leader means taking a lot of hits,” Mallory says. “That’s just life.”