Thousands of women from across the state representing all ages, occupations and ethnicities are preparing to spend the next three months waging a grassroots campaign in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee for President. Several recent planning calls have laid the foundation for what could be a groundbreaking victory. “I am excited to be part of this moment in history,” said one participant. If elected, Haris would be the 47th President of the United States.
A statewide zoom call coordinated by 10,000 Women Louisiana and the Louisiana Democratic Party will take place on Wednesday, July 31 at 7 p.m. All women are invited to register for the call. The call hopes to attract 1,000 women who will lead “Kamala’s Calvary” in Louisiana. Register for the zoom meeting here.
Women have always been the key constituency for Harris. Immediately after her campaign announcement a nationwide groundswell of her sorority sisters, the Alpha Kappa Alphas, launched a fundraising drive with other groups which quickly amassed $81 million in the first 24 hours. Those efforts are multiplying as women and men in many states are stepping up to raise money, register new voters and build constituencies.
In Louisiana, former State Representative Melissa Flournoy, founder of 10,000 Women Louisiana, has reached out to her substantial network of activists to step up for the campaign. State Democratic Party Executive Director Drew Prestridge is engaging with women who are members of the parish and state central committees to broaden potential reach. A Sunday, July 28 planning call with this group included more than 50 women such as State Reps Delisha Boyd and Daryl Joy Walters, Clerk Lisa Ray Diggs as well as state party officials Laurie Constantino, Leslie Bouie, Lisa Manning Bridges, Mary Anne Mushatt and Michelle Anderson. Although specific tasks are still being formulated, women will probably be asked to assist with phone banks, door to door canvassing, social media, text messaging, voter registration, GOTV and fundraising.
The group Black Women Lead Louisiana coordinated by State Rep. Walters brought together more than 500 women for their planning call. Women zoomed in not just from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Monroe, Lafayette and Shreveport but also from small towns like Bastrop, Ville Platte, Jeanerette, Denham Springs, Geismar and Natchitoches. Former Louisianans now living in Atlanta, Dallas and Houston also were on the call. Participants got a chance to voice their support for Harris and learn more about Biden/Harris accomplishments. Zoom call attendee Alicia Plummer said she is happy and excited for Harris’s candidacy. “I am excited about all the momentum I see and from the money that is being raised. Kamala has been Vice President for three and a half years. Even if some people say they don’t know her, they do know that Donald Trump will be a dictator who will take care of himself and his cronies. That’s not what we need,” Plummer explained.
State Senator Regina Barrow gave a rousing speech that touched on the importance of freedom and asked participants to encourage family and friends to register and vote. October 7 is the last day to register to vote for the Tuesday, November 5 election. Voter registration is available in person at the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters office at City Hall, online through the Louisiana Secretary of State or through any number of voter registration events being held by groups including the Power Coalition for Equity & Justice. Black Women for Kamala also has a form available at: www.iwillvote.com
According to a story posted by Axios, recent polling indicates that Harris is more popular than President Biden among younger voters which has led to a spike in voter registration by voters 34 and under. Support from this age group was crucial to the Biden/Harris victory 4 years ago.
White women – many of whom previously voted for Trump in two elections- are another targeted constituency. With her pro-choice stand, Harris could be a much more attractive candidate to moderate and liberal white women. Last week more than 160,000 women participated in “White Women Answer the Call.” This early activism could be especially helpful to Harris in swing states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, Axios reported.
The Democratic National Committee has also begun hosting “Women for Harris National Organizing Calls” featuring diverse women leaders. Historian Heather Cox Richardson and DNC Treasurer Virginia McGregor will headline the Harris Victory Fund call later this week.
With less than 100 days until the election, committed Democrats of all persuasions are coming on board. “Everyone is working hard for Kamala Harris. Together we are going to win this election,” said one operative. Harris has made several trips to Louisiana including most recently to address thousands of women at the Essence Festival of Culture. Although no date has been set, Harris is expected to visit the state again before the election.
