Civically Engaged Mothers of Color and the

Challenges of Political Leadership

Sheneal ParkerResearch Fellow

Pathways to Political Leadership for Women of ColorA Research Partnership between the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy and Women’s Pipeline for Change

Project Background

Limited scholarship exists on women of color who are mothers and politically active in their communities.

Need to deepen understanding of barriers mothers of color face in entering and sustaining a political career.

How do civically engaged mothers of color enter into political careers (including running for office or seeking other positions of political leadership)?

How do those in elected or other positions of political leadership sustain their careers?

Research Questions

Research Design

Focus Group Focus group conducted with 9 civically

engaged mothers (both single and partnered) not currently working as elected officials or organizers

Interviews Two interviews with mothers already in

political careers about their life histories and how they first became civically engaged

Young Women of Color

Focus Group Participants Involvement in community and

politics began at early age Civics and leadership training in

high school Leadership Development Needs

Practical, hands-on training needed Develop confidence, build networks

Foundation for Political Influence

Community involvement provided a foundation for seeking elective office

Support (including financial) from elected officials and community activists was important

Name recognition increased political success

Mentorship from politically savvy women of color leaders was very helpful

Factors that Discourage Entry

The women in the focus groups as well as the elected officials stated that raising money is a barrier.The challenges and barriers were related to a legacy of

racism:

“As an elected official raising money is always a barrier. As you know, for African-American

women, usually we’re the fourth group down. It’s usually white men, black men, white women,

and then black women in terms of raising money.”

Youth Involvement

The research shows that there is a blockage, where information is not being passed onto the next generation of young people. In addition, this group is being destroyed because of a lack of knowledge of their civic duties, and the skills needed to lead.

“In our community what we need is to focus more on the

civic engagement piece for our youth.”

Mentorship

The research indicates that the women who had mentors and the support from other elected officials, or prominent community activist, were willing to run for office and did well.

Also, women of color are best motivated by having a political savvy mentor and a prominent community activist who could help them.

“Build a team to make things happen.”

Recommendations

1. PAC for women of color: All the women in the focus group indicated that fundraising is a big barrier for them. The PAC would be set up to encourage more women of color candidates to run for legislative and statewide offices knowing that they have this extra funding to support their campaign.

 2. Political leadership program for youths of color: Most of the

women agreed that in order to fill the pipeline of women leaders we start early by providing practical, hands-on training aimed at developing confidence and fostering the development of women leaders and allowing them the opportunity to build networks.

 3. Political savvy mentor: This research shows that having a

knowledge mentor to a answer questions and to give advice would make it easier for to run and win.

For more information about Sheneal’s study, including video

clips, photos, and summaries, please go to:

Sheneal Parker’s Project

Or visit: www.umb/pipeline