Statement from President and CEO, Donna Murray-Brown

Over 100 years ago, the 19th amendment gave women the right to vote. However, Black women would have to wait nearly five decades more to gain that right. Today, Black women here in Michigan and nationwide watched with great pride as Senator Kamala Harris made history. She is the first woman of color to be named vice-president of the United States. This historic moment represents the millions of minority women who have often been historically underrepresented and overlooked. Harris’ triumph is a tribute to the many Black women who shattered racial and gender barriers including Shirley Chisholm who became the first Black woman to serve in the United States Senate on November 5, 1968. Harris would become just the second Black woman.

Personally, I can relate to Harris on many fronts. She and I both received our undergraduate degrees from historically Black Universities. She attended Howard University in Washington D.C. and I attended Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. We are members of The Links, Incorporated, a prominent organization of Black women founded in 1946, devoted to strengthening Black communities. We are also proud members of Black sororities. Harris is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Dedicated to scholarship, sisterhood, and service, our sororities were founded on the campus of the historic Howard University and are part of the National Pan- Hellenic Council (NPHC). We are commonly referred to as “The Divine Nine”, an umbrella organization composed of the nine historically African American Greek-lettered sororities and fraternities.

This moment is a big step for Black women and girls everywhere. With tears flowing from my eyes, I realize that we have moved to a more inclusive democracy--where a woman who looks like me can be second-in-command of this great country. Kamala Harris is living proof of the American Dream. This monumental achievement will forever be ingrained in my mind as the moment when I believed with great confidence that a woman of color can do anything she sets her mind to do.

Donna Murray-Brown President & CEO Michigan Nonprofit Association