As a young woman in the United States, it can be difficult to see yourself represented in politics. Women make up a mere 28% of Congress, yet they make up 50% of the population, so recognizing the inspiring women working in politics is increasingly important. In this article, we’ll look at four women to watch in politics. Ranging from state representatives to activists, these women are making a lasting impact and deserve our recognition.
representative jasmine crockett (democrat- texas)
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Texas’ 30th Congressional District and has been in this role since January of 2023. However, her political journey has had many impressive stops before this incredible achievement. Before serving in the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Crockett has held the roles of public defender and civil rights attorney. Her background in advocacy has followed her into her role in Congress. As the youngest black lawmaker in Texas during the 87th Legislative Session, she navigated a rise in conservative politics, economic distress, racial inequality, and overall political chaos.
Congresswoman Crockett is Texan through and through and has enacted great change for her home during her time in Congress. She was one of the founders of the Texas Progressive Caucus as well as the Texas Caucus on Climate, Energy, and the Environment. She is a fierce advocate and often focuses on exploitation in the criminal justice system. Congresswoman Crockett’s passion and success have been no secret to her peers. She serves as the Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight. Additionally, she is the Communications Task Force Co-Chair for the Democratic Women’s Caucus.
If interested in Congress, criminal justice, or reform, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is one to watch. She is an incredible example of an impassioned, effective black woman in politics. She continues to enact positive change and is relentless in the pursuit of justice. The tenacious Texan is not leaving the public eye any time soon, and deserves your attention.
aimee allison: founder of she-the-people
Activist Aimee Allison is a remarkable woman in the political arena. Founder of She-the-People, a national organization dedicated to empowering women of color to usher in a new political era for America. Allison founded the organization in 2018 to amplify the voices of Black, Latina, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Muslim, and Indigenous women.
Allison is a U.S. veteran, honorably discharged as a conscientious objector. She is an advocate for a democracy based in love and justice. She is nationally renowned for her efforts to promote inclusive, multiracial spaces in American politics. One of her most notable initiatives is the nation’s very first presidential forum specifically for women of color. This event saw attendance from over 1000 women as well as numerous presidential candidates. She has written for The New York Times, Newsweek, The Washington Post, and Essence Magazine, promoting gender equality as well as racial and economic justice. Allison repeatedly emphasizes that her advocacy for multiracial equality is the mission of her life’s work.
Aimee Allison is a wonderful example of how passion can become action. She has dedicated her life to empowering others, all while making tangible impact on a national scale. She shows us how politics can be based in love and respect for others in a political climate that is often rife with division and hatred. Let her work inspire you to follow your beliefs, advocate for others, and to always be rooted in your core values.
ai-jen poo: president of the national domestic workers alliance
Veteran organizer Ai-jen Poo is a standout in the political advocacy arena. Co-founder and President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), Poo has grown the organization to support over 4,000 domestic workers. She has dedicated her life to changing the way domestic workers and caregivers are viewed and treated in the country.
She found her roots in organizing and political advocacy in New York, creating Domestic Workers United, a multiracial coalition of nannies, house cleaners, and home care workers. This coalition was crucial in winning the New York Domestic Worker Bill of Rights in 2010, which was a landmark case in the US as the first law to guarantee basic rights and protections for domestic workers. This, however, was only the beginning for Poo. After co-founding the NDWA, she launched Caring Across Generations in 2011, a national organization dedicated to promoting change in the US’ culture and policy surrounding the caregiving industry. CAG has helped change how caregiving is represented in film and television, encourage states to invest in caregivers, and enact national orders on care.
Ai-jen Poo is considered an expert in her field. She has revolutionized how the nation and many private organizations treat domestic workers, and her work is not slowing down. She is a woman to admire, and a wonderful example for women of color to look up to. Poo is a shining example of how a passion can become a national movement.
representative ruwa romman (democrat- georgia)
Representative Ruwa Romman is making waves on the political scene. A democrat currently representing Georgia in the 97th district. Romman made history in 2022 as the first Muslim woman elected to the Georgia statehouse. Additionally, she made history as the first Palestinian American elected in Georgia’s political history. A driven and passionate woman of color, she is not one to be dismissed.
Representative Romman has been an advocate in politics since 2014, originally dedicating herself to campaigns working to turn Georgia, a historically red state, blue. She used grassroots movements, informational campaigns, and many more strategies in order to empower her fellow citizens. This includes launching the Georgia Volunteer Hub, focused on mobilizing citizens and giving people political agency. These were only the beginnings of her impressive career. Representative Romman also served as a field organizer for the Georgia Muslim Voter Project and the Asian American Advocacy Fund. Her background in on-the-ground advocacy work is representative of her brand of politics. She is people-focused, working to create a more equitable nation for everyone.
In a world where women’s voices are so often ignored, especially women of color and Muslim women, Ruwa Romman has defied the odds. A fierce advocate for change, she remains grounded in her early politics and instilled morals. She is a trailblazer in Georgia politics and has no plans to slow down.
Women Deserve Room
As a woman living in today’s society, it can feel like fighting a losing battle. However, I hope someone featured in this article was able to give you hope. That one of these incredible women inspires you to be outspoken, to take up space, and to break the damned glass ceiling. Women belong in every room where decisions are made. Find the courage to make room for yourself in politics. If you’re the only woman in the room, own it. Your perspective is valuable, necessary, and beautiful. In Americana singer-songwriter and feminist Brandi Carlile’s song “The Joke,” she wails, “Let ’em laugh while they can, Let ’em spin-let ’em scatter in the wind-I have been to the movies, I’ve seen how it ends-And the joke’s on them.” Let them laugh. You belong in politics. You belong in leadership. You belong everywhere. Let them laugh, girl.