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As Kamala Harris prepares to take the stage at the DNC, a look at the Black women who paved the way featuring, Sally Nuamah on WBEZ with Mary Dixon
Much has been made of the prospect of Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the first Black and South Asian woman to hold the office of President of the United States. Harris’ rise to presidential nominee is the latest chapter in the long history of Black women’s participation in American politics. Professor Sally Nuamah teaches political science at Northwestern University. Her current research focuses on the civic engagement of Black women in the political process.
Thanking Black Women for Being the 'Backbone' of American Democracy Isn't Enough. There Must be Policies Created With Us in Mind
Professor Nuamah coined the term collective participatory debt (CPD) to describe the “extreme fatigue and disillusionment with the democratic process following repeated participation in it without a fair response.”
According to Nuamah, Black women aren’t just voting at higher rates, but they are also “participating in mutual aid and other civic activities at the highest rate, which means they’re engaging in a double burden. They’re working twice as hard in politics just as they are in life.”
Sally Nuamah Receives Recognition for Her Work on Education, Gender, and Race
Policy expert honored for her scholarship and work as a filmmaker and activist
“It is important to me that my actions not only reveal disparities but also address them. I wish for actual improvement in the material conditions of marginalized people, and my work is just one small part of enabling this to happen.”
Sally Nuamah
Sally Nuamah seeks to empower Black girls with films, research
“I liberated myself a long time ago from this idea that I needed to be something,” she said. “All I have is a mission. And my mission is to help disadvantaged girls have better life chances.”
Sally Nuamah
Alumna’s Global Mission: Better Schools for Girls
From her efforts in Ghana to reforming American schools, Sally A. Nuamah, BA ’11, is a fierce advocate for helping girls obtain equal education around the world.
“Sally is quite unique in her ability to connect what we do in the classroom with the real world,” said Associate Professor of Political Science.”
Steven Balla