What Women of Color Revealed About This Political Moment in America
By Mallory Adamski (Dine´), She The People’s Communications Director
In a first-of-its-kind report focused exclusively on women of color voters, She the People is pleased to share “Listening is Power: Women of Color and This Political Moment in America,” showcasing what’s on the minds of women of color voters this election season. It reveals the top issues on the minds of women of color this election season are inflation (56%), gun control (51%), and reproductive rights (31%).
The report, released ahead of the 2022 Midterms, strikes at the heart of how key issues are motivating Black, Latina, Indigenous, Asian and Pacific Islander women voters in eight battleground states (Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida) and two stronghold states (New York and California).
“Women of color are no longer waiting to be heard and seen in this country and are seizing this moment to reclaim a democracy that works for us and our communities,” said Aimee Allison, Founder and President of She the People. “It’s our pleasure to share what we heard from women of color from our listening tour: that no matter who we are or where we come from, we want dignity, safety, and healthcare. We want to be able to afford food and rent. We want a democracy that works for us and our communities.”
Our Listening Tour: What We Heard
Developed in partnership with an all-women of color research team from the University of Southern California, the report provides a comprehensive look at the perspectives, stories and values of women of color voters shared in listening sessions, interviews and polls ahead of Election Day.
Major findings and insights from the report include:
About a third (30%) of women of color identify as frequent voters and are driven to vote to make their voices heard (36%) and to create a better future for the next generation (37%).
More than half (57% and 59% in two polls) of women of color voters say it’s possible to bridge diverse groups to achieve change in America today.
Women of color identified voter suppression as one of the most important political issues and also the main reason that women of color voters are disengaged and, in some instances, even fearful of voting. The key to fighting voter suppression is what several women called ‘authentic voter education,’ including education around the electoral process, candidates and their platforms, and why voting is essential. Learning about who candidates are and the issues they stand for is the greatest difficulty women of color face to make an informed voting decision (27%).
Women of color are creating their own pathways to political power by forming their own groups and networks that have catalyzed high voting turnouts in the last three election cycles. According to the report, women of color are organizing to support women of color candidates who authentically and consistently promote the health and well-being of communities of color.
The Power of Listening to Transform our Society
The report is the first data set to be included in She the People’s new Women of Color Data Lab, an initiative aimed at putting data on women of color front and center in political conversations and elections. Additional insights and recommendations for legislators, voters, funders, and coalition builders to move from a place of allyship to solidarity are included in the report.
Stakeholders can use this report to:
center women of color and their experiences and needs in the political decision making process
operationalize intersectionality, love, justice and belonging within the political ecosystem
construct campaigns that address the issues women of color care about
strategize on best ways to engage women of color in the political ecosystem
organize and mobilize collective impact and coalitions necessary to increase the power of women of color
“Until now, this kind of comprehensive data on women of color hasn’t existed, and that’s kept our stories, values and needs out of political spaces for far too long,” said Allison. “This report is about changing the existing political systems that have dismissed women of color as an afterthought. Listening is power, and we’re leaning into that power for social change.”
The full PDF report can be accessed online, along with the toolkit with shareable graphics elevating the power of the women of color vote and She the People’s women of color candidates. Share this content across your social media, mailing list and other networks to unite in support of women of color and solidarity in this political moment.