* Press release…
We are filled with pride and joy upon hearing that our Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sister, Kamala Harris, has been selected to join Joe Biden as his vice-presidential running mate. While individual members can support who they want, this history-making selection of Harris—the first Black woman on a major party ticket—is exciting for so many who never thought they’d see this day.
This year, our nation is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. But for decades, that guarantee did not include women of color. Now Harris will bring with her to the ticket, the spirit of women like Suffragist Ida B. Wells, Civil Rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer, and the first black woman to run for president, Shirley Chisholm.
The legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated is that of excellence and community service, traits which Kamala Harris has exemplified throughout her career. And we are so very proud to witness this historic day.
Juliana Stratton
Mattie Hunter
LaToya Greenwood
Toi Hutchinson
* More…
* Background from Sen. Collins…
Prominent women who are or have been AKA members include Eleanor Roosevelt, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Star Jones, Alicia Keys, Phylicia Rashad, Mellody Hobson, Wanda Sykes, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Hazel O’Leary, Sheila Jackson Lee, Suzanne Malveaux and Karen Yarbrough. In the Illinois General Assembly, my colleagues Sen. Mattie Hunter, Sen. Toi Hutchinson and Rep. Monique Davis are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
- Shytown - Tuesday, Aug 11, 20 @ 10:18 pm:
Wonderful! This is a historic day and we should celebrate and honor not just Sen. Harris but all the women of color who helped lift her up and those who will be lifted up by this achievement.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Aug 11, 20 @ 10:40 pm:
Fantastic. Just learned that Sen. Harris lived in Champaign when her father taught there, so there’s that Illinois connection as well. Very excited for her and so glad a woman of color finally has a chance to break a huge glass ceiling.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, Aug 11, 20 @ 10:46 pm:
This is a great pick for VP. Harris has strong credentials and her Senate seat is safe for the Ds.
- Blue Dog Dem - Tuesday, Aug 11, 20 @ 10:49 pm:
I think this pick locks up California for biden.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 11, 20 @ 11:01 pm:
===locks up California===
This has nothing to do with California. Buckle up.
- آگهی استخدام - Tuesday, Aug 11, 20 @ 11:07 pm:
I am also proud to live in this time because humanity has given the most respect to women throughout history.
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, Aug 12, 20 @ 6:26 am:
Disappointed. Still voting for Biden. Do not see her helping in the swing states. Running up the vote in solidly blue states like Illinois and California does not get more electoral votes.
- Blue Dog Dem - Wednesday, Aug 12, 20 @ 6:50 am:
Rich. That was my attempt at s/.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Aug 12, 20 @ 6:51 am:
Good choice by Biden. Probably not who the progressive’s would want, but her background as a prosecutor may help in pushing back on Trump’s law and order campaign strategy.
- Muffin - Wednesday, Aug 12, 20 @ 8:32 am:
If he was going to pick from a blue non-battleground state, Juliana Stratton would have been a better and bold change choice for Biden vs. Kamala. Ugh.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Aug 12, 20 @ 8:51 am:
While the Olympics may be cancelled, but the mental gymnastics competition continues as scheduled.
- Chicago - Wednesday, Aug 12, 20 @ 10:44 am:
@ Muffin–
OMG. You might want to lay off the recreational weed.
- khill - Wednesday, Aug 12, 20 @ 11:08 am:
#KHive
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Aug 12, 20 @ 11:10 am:
I like the choice. She was someone I could have supported for president. Strong work as a prosecutor holding parents who refused to send their kids to school accountable had my support from the word go.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Aug 12, 20 @ 12:00 pm:
It’ not going to be a good look for the President when he decides to go on the offensive and attack Harris. Because he doesn’t have much use for policy and can rarely engage in substantive discussions on it, his go to strategy is personal attacks. Whether it’s sleepy Joe, shifty Schiff, or Pocahontas it’s all he knows. Probably not going to play well with moderates and suburban moms when he engages in a personal attack on a woman of color.
- Froganon - Wednesday, Aug 12, 20 @ 12:40 pm:
Fantastic choice. Sen. Harris has the background and exerience to be President. V.P. Harris on the 100th Anniversery of (white) Womens Suffrage sounds fabulous. Thank God for smart, ambitious women like Kamala Harris.
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Aug 12, 20 @ 2:13 pm:
It was kind of Sen. Collins to include one soror who didn’t actually attend college — and who didn’t even finish high school. I refer of course to Eleanor Roosevelt.