As a practicing school psychologist in the Denver public schools, Rasheeda Ouedraogo knows the psychological impact it would have for all students to see a woman of color break the highest of all glass ceilings—the United States presidency. Vice President Kamala Harris’ quest to become the first Black woman and first South Asian American to become president has also galvanized many educators of color. NEA Today spoke with Ouedraogo as well as other Black women union leaders to capture how Harris’ historic run has affected them personally and professionally.
“It’s a long time coming,” Ouedraogo says. “This is something that needs to happen for every woman and for every person of color. And even for every man to know that women are fully capable of holding positions of power and doing things very efficiently and effectively.”
Ouedraogo, a leader in her own right, has campaigned on behalf of school board candidates and served as chair of her district’s Black Lives Matter at School Week. She is currently President-elect of the Colorado Society of School Psychologists and co-chair of organization’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
“As a proud union member, a proud educator, by going out and wearing my Kamala Harris shirt, rallying, and showing up, I'm campaigning for her,” says Ouedraogo, who also attended the 2024 Democratic National Convention, in Chicago. “As a person of color, as a woman of color, I'm standing up for education, I'm standing up for mental health. I'm standing up for the working person and, to me, that's what Kamala Harris stands for.”
Broad support from Women and People of Color
Ouedraogo is not alone in her excitement about Harris. An October New York Times/Siena College poll of likely voters found 56 percent of all women support Harris. And her support is even stronger among Black women. An August Pew Research survey found that Harris’ favorability ratings among Black women who are registered voters was 82 percent. Harris also enjoys strong support among People of Color in general. An October Pew survey of registered voters in the U.S. stated that 79 percent of Black people, 54 percent of Hispanic people, and 62 percent of Asian American people would vote for Harris.
“This moment doesn’t feel real for me. I never thought I would witness the possibility of a Black President, let alone a Black woman president,” says Erica Jones, president of the Mississippi Association of Educators. “The role of state president is often lonely and tough. I am inspired by VP Harris in the way in which she shows up each time regardless of the hate she encounters.”
Jones’ lessons learned from watching Harris campaign:
- Stay ready so that you don’t have to get ready! Harris had to step in as the presidential candidate as soon as Biden exited the race.
- No matter your skin color or gender, you have what it takes to be an effective leader.
- Lead with passion. Lean into the hard conversations. Never dim your light for others.
North Carolina Association of Educators President Tamika Walker Kelly also finds inspiration in Harris’ leadership. In the midst of supporting members impacted by Hurricane Helene, Kelly took time out to talk about Harris’ historic run for president.
“As a Black woman leader, I am inspired by those who came before Vice President Harris to arrive at this moment,” she shared. “I am inspired by Fannie Lou Hamer, who challenged the Democratic Party to create equity in representation. I am inspired by Shirley Chisholm, who challenged the status quo and taught us about putting our voices at the table. And I’m inspired by VP Harris to lead with knowledge and grace.”
An ally to educators and unions
The importance of Harris’ candidacy extends far beyond shattering the glass ceiling. The stakes are high for all public school educators and students this November, says NEA President Becky Pringle.
“Vice President Harris knows there is a new way forward, building on the historic investments of the last four years,” Pringle shares. “She is committed to increasing educator pay and improving students’ learning conditions and educators’ working conditions. Harris will focus on improving mental health, reducing gun violence, and ensuring every student can eat healthy, delicious meals at school.”
If Harris is elected, she will have a tremendous, positive impact on education and unions, Jones adds. “Educators will have yet another colleague in the administration who values public education. Unions will be able to advocate for members without fear of losing power,” she says.
‘I am proud of how I lead'
Kelly agrees that being a Black woman leader comes with extra responsibility.
“It is our charge to push our union and our profession to look like the student communities we serve, and for our union to equip all members with the skill sets to engage communities authentically and effectively,” she says. “I am very proud to occupy my space in the world as a Black woman. I am proud of how I lead in my union as a Black woman. What I ask is that others lead authentically as who they are, and that we always hold space for each other’s humanity in this work.”
Sundjata Sekou (pronounced Sund-Jata Say-Coo) is a Hip-Hop loving, “dope”, Black, male, elementary school teacher in Irvington, N.J. and NEA’s 2024 writer-in-residence. With support from my union sisters and brothers in the NJEA Members of Color Affinity group, he received the 2024 New Jersey Education Association Urban Educator Activist Award. You can follow him on Instagram @blackmaleteacher and email him at [email protected].
