A Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls Has Now Been Created

(From theGrio)

On Tuesday, three black women in Congress made history as they announced the creation of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls.

Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) and Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.) issued a press release through the House of Representatives confirming the formation of the caucus and stating that its mission would be to strive to create policy that “eliminates significant barriers and disparities experienced by black women.”

“Black women and girls are disproportionately affected by myriad [of] socioeconomic issues that diminish their quality of life and threaten the well-being of their families and communities,” Rep. Kelly said in a release obtained by The Huffington Post.

“The Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls gives black women a seat at the table for the crucial discussion on the policies that impact them while also providing a framework for creating opportunities and eliminating barriers to success for black women,” she added.

Ifeoma Ike, the co-founder of Black and Brown People Vote, inspired the creation of the caucus along with six other women who are part of the #SheWoke committee, which advocates for black women’s rights: Nakisha M. Lewis, Tiffany D. Hightower, Shambulia Gadsden Sams, Sharisse Stancil-Ashford, Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever and Sharon Cooper.