Courtesy of Natasha S. Alford , Deputy Editor of theGrio.com

Throughout our history, black women have been the force during a storm and the calm when its over. And the field of politics is no different.

In an exclusive series, TheGrio takes an in-depth look at the progress of black women in government leadership; from local state offices to the U.S Capitol. Here are a few highlights:

• Although women comprise half of the population in the United States, those numbers are diminished in political offices. In the House of Representatives, 84 of 235 seats are held by women. Out of that number, only 2o are held by black women.
• Out of the nation’s 100 largest cities, there are only three black women  currently serving as mayors.
• No black women have ever served as governor. But with the recent announcement of Georgia’s  first female House Minority Leader, Stacey Abrams’ run for governor, those odds could change.
• Training programs such as Emily’s List, Vote Run Lead and Women’s Campaign school are working to train more women to not only run for public offices but to win.

 

 

 

 

Waikinya Clanton, 31, attendee of the Women’s Campaign School who aspires to become mayor of her hometown, Canton, Ms.

“The reason why I’m interested in running for office is because there is a need.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jasmine Sadat, 29, attendee of the Women’s Campaign School, aspires to become the first black mayor of Philadelphia.

“We live in communities where black women are leading households, becoming more educated, so quite naturally you’re going to need a legislative body to reflect their constituency.”

To read more on this exclusive story from TheGrio, click here.