First Lady Dr. Jill Biden Kicks Off the Women for Biden-Harris Initiative With Multi-City Tour Highlighting Black Women-Owned Businesses
Written by Katie Atkinson on March 11, 2024
Since the beginning of March, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden has traveled to key battleground states on her tour, Women for Biden-Harris, an organizing program spanning all 50 states that aims to reach and engage with women across the country who can help reelect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Women for Biden-Harris is concentrating on issues that will undoubtedly affect women in America this election cycle: from individual freedom to health care. During her visit to Atlanta, the first stop on the tour, Dr. Biden drove home the dichotomous choice voters will face at the ballot box this November, calling Donald Trump dangerous to women, families and democracy itself.
“Election after election, Black women have remained the backbone of the Democratic Party,” Jasmine Harris, Biden-Harris 2024 Black Media Director said. “The First Lady was proud to highlight Black women-owned small businesses on her tour and discuss issues that matter to us. In launching Women for Biden-Harris, the President and Vice President remain committed to continuing to work to ensure Black women are both supported and empowered.”
However, highlighting the danger of former President Trump was not Dr. Biden’s only focus: she made a conscientious effort to emphasize the voting power that women hold. At Studio House Atlanta, a Black-owned business based in the city, Dr. Biden drove home the message that women of color are crucial for both the upholding of democracy and the reelection of her husband and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“The Women for Biden Kick-Off event in Atlanta was truly exhilarating,” event speaker Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon said. “The energy in the room was palpable, and it’s the energy we need to bring excitement to the upcoming election. This is a critical time that calls for collective efforts to increase voter engagement and amplify the successes of the Biden/Harris administration.”
Dr. Hallmon herself is a small business owner, and said that she is committed to vocally supporting the Biden/Harris campaign in part to help elevate other members of her community.
“As I lend my support, voice, and platform, I’m laser-focused on advancing opportunities and access for Black business owners,” Hallmon said. “Under the Biden/Harris administration, we’ve seen the fastest creation rate of Black-owned businesses in more than 30 years. We’ve also more than doubled the share of Black business owners from 2019 to 2022.”
Dr. Biden also stopped in Waukesha, Wisconsin, a town just outside of Milwaukee. For this tour, the Biden-Harris team has continuously made the effort to host events in businesses owned and operated by women of color. The Waukesha event was held in Rooted MKE, a Black woman-owned bookstore in a historic neighborhood.
Among the speakers at the Wisconsin event was Krystal deLeón Judah, the founder and director of the Empowerment and Care Center, a nonprofit that provides free community birthing doulas to support high-risk and vulnerable pregnancies. Judah remembers the palpable enthusiasm she felt from everyone at the event, from Dr. Biden to the members of the audience.
“Meeting First Lady Dr. Jill Biden was a wonderful opportunity,” Judah said. “In my introduction of her, I spoke of the importance of having a group or women ‘who see me’ and a president who fights for all of us and not just a select few. Prior to going on stage at her campaign rally, there was a moment where we were having a conversation, just two women chatting. We both took a quick sip of water and touched up our lip gloss and then we went out together to share a message to everyone that they are voting for a President who sees them.”
At the Women for Biden—Harris Atlanta event, support for the Biden campaign also spanned generations. Skye Jackson, a graduating senior at Spelman College, spoke at the event and described how inspiring it was to see the first lady’s advocacy for education and female empowerment.
“I’m proud to support President Biden’s re-election, as his focus on expanding healthcare, affordable education and fostering unity resonates with my aspirations for a future where every individual, regardless of background, can access quality healthcare, educational opportunities, and a nation united in shared purpose,” Jackson said. “With Biden, I believe we move closer to realizing this vision of a more equitable and inclusive America.”
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