Kansas leaders, women of color, talk about political representation

From local committees to the highest offices in the country, women of color are using their voices.

Like Vice President Kamala Harris has announced her candidacy as the first black woman on the Democratic presidential ticket, women of color across Kansas are taking the plunge or renewing their advocacy efforts.

The number of women of color becoming political leaders in Kansas has grown slowly but surely over the years. In recent years, Kansas has seen its first black woman run for secretary of state, some cities’ first Latino leaders, and other major developments.

Women occupy many leadership positions. Do they serve in local government, like the Guatemalan immigrant who became mayor of Wichita? Lily Wuor working at the federal level, like U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of the 3rd Congressional District, these women are game-changers in state politics.

Senator Usha Reddy, Democrat from Manhattan

Sen. Usha Reddy, a Manhattan Democrat, said she has always been interested in politics.

“I think on some level I’ve always been interested in politics,” Reddy said. “I’m a naturalized citizen, so when you have to take a test to become a citizen of the United States, it makes you appreciate that privilege a little more. So I appreciate it and consider it a privilege, not only to be a voting member, but also to be part of the political process.”

As the first Asian and South Asian American woman to serve in the state Senate, Reddy said she believes she has a unique perspective. She said government should be a reflection of the citizens it serves.

“I think life experience matters,” Reddy said. “As an immigrant, my life experience is different. I can’t speak English and don’t have all the resources that have been made available to me and my family, being a woman and being able to walk into male-dominated meetings and pass policies that also impact women. , such as lighting the alleys on campus where many of our young women walk, and even more policies being passed without women at the table.

“Sometimes the people who implement these policies don’t realize the unintended consequences.”

Throughout her career, Reddy said she has had many role models, including Rep. Sidney Carlin, D-Manhattan.

Reddy said she’s glad to see women and women of color taking leadership in government, but frustrated by the endless hoops they have to jump through to achieve even half that success.

“You see Vice President Kamala Harris, who has an incredible career and life, running for president, and I think she has the potential to be the next president, but just looking at how long her resume has to be to get in.” there and it still doesn’t seem to be the right fit for some people,” Reddy said. “So, when will it be enough? I think this is a battle we are all fighting. Is this when my resume is enough? When are my qualifications sufficient?

“Whereas sometimes others can just walk into a room and already look like they’re qualified, even if they don’t have the same skill set.”

Given her experience in office, she offered advice to new political leaders entering the arena: Don’t deny who they are.

“We are qualifying,” Reddy said. “But our identity is also part of our heritage and part of something that we should not deny. I don’t deny who I am. I’m wearing a bindi. I’m dark. I never pretend who I am. People know I haven’t changed my name. It’s the same thing. So, you can be true to who you are and your values and still be a good representative.”

Kansas Democratic Party Chair Jeanne Repass

Chairman of the Kansas Democratic Party Zhanna Repass always had an interest in politics, given that her mother was a civil rights activist and her father was a Vietnam veteran.

Repass said it is critical to include women of color in the political space.

“If we don’t have women of color, then you’re missing an entire demographic, and it’s not just black women,” Repass said. “These are women of all ethnic and racial backgrounds. And if you don’t have those voices, then you can’t deliver what this country needs, what it deserves, and frankly, what moves us.” forward.”

While exploring her path in politics, Repass always looked to her mother as an inspiration. She said that even though she didn’t see herself reflected in the media, her mother always encouraged her to do and be whatever she wanted.

“I was never raised in a family that thought about what I couldn’t do,” Repass said. “But at that point, we didn’t have a Black Miss America or a Black Miss USA or anything else in this country. So the art of the possible had to be taught in your own home, not in your country or your community telling you what was possible. So, I think representation is very important for all the generations behind us.”

Repass said that while she is glad to see women of color in politics becoming the norm, she is disappointed by the negative impact it has had.

She said it has now become the norm to attack the qualifications and legitimacy of women in the field, especially in places of greater power such as the presidency.

“The stereotypes that have been expressed are just terrible,” Repass said. “I think a lot of stereotypes call her (Harris) stupid and sexualize her and try to shame her because she dated men in the past.”

While working in politics, Repass began to see more young political leaders taking action. She said she finds these new leaders impressive and hopes they don’t become discouraged when faced with challenges.

“The doors you need to knock down won’t necessarily open immediately, but that doesn’t mean you didn’t have an impact,” Repass said.

Stacey Noell

Candidate for Kansas Senate District 23 Stacey Noell said she didn’t necessarily want to get into politics, but she felt it was calling her.

“I was already moving towards politics because I understood how important it was to take my place in history and use this moral arc of the universe to achieve justice,” Noell said.

Noell serves on the Kansas African American Affairs Commission. She said Kansas has come a long way but still has work to do.

“There’s a general resistance nationally to what the other side would call ‘woke,’” Noell said.

As for the next generation of political leaders, Noll said she wanted to remind them that they are still needed at the table.

“I think people in general are frustrated with politics and politicians,” Noell said. “Sometimes I hear: “No sane person would go into politics.” So I encourage them to know that there is still room for different points of view and different worldviews.”

Kansas State Board of Education candidate Beryl New

Candidate for Kansas State Board of Education District 6 Beryl New He worked in education for 36 years before retiring. She knew she wanted to stay active, so she joined the District Equality Council and became co-chair.

New said because of her desire to continue her civic involvement, when she was asked to run for school board, she jumped at the chance.

“I thought it was a good transition for me to go from serving in public education for over three decades to being able to continue my service in a statewide position,” New said.

She said there is always strength in diversity, especially in leadership positions.

“When people come from different life experiences, from different cultural backgrounds, they bring a new lens that might not have been there if the previous structure had been homogeneous,” New said. “So, being able to share the perspective of someone who may have experienced education or life in general differently really helps enrich the way decision makers come to their conclusions about policies, structures and systems.”

Additionally, she said she was pleased to see women of color in every sector of government.

“This is kind of the culmination of all the work that people in America have done since the beginning,” New said. “People came to America for freedom. People fought in America and died in America so that people could have the right to choose, to have personal freedom at every level, and I think we are now seeing the fruits of that.”

Although she is relatively new to the political sphere, she advises young political leaders to be true to their own beliefs.

“Whatever motivates you to do this work, focus on that,” New said. “Don’t get distracted by tricks, games and systems. If you are true to what brought you to work, I think you will feel better about what you do.”

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, Kansas Congressional District 3

Davids is first gay Native American serve in her office. She said she was inspired by her mother, who served in the military for more than 20 years, and by the important work that needs to be done in American politics.

“In my work in economic development, particularly on tribal reservations, and later as a White House fellow, I have seen first-hand how policies shape people’s lives,” Davids said in a written statement. “I decided to run for president to ensure that Kansans—and especially those whose voices have been ignored—have a seat at the table.”

Davids said she is proud to be one of many who have broken the glass ceiling and diversified Kansas politics.

“For too long, many people have not seen their experiences reflected in their federal representation,” Davids said. “While we still have a way to go, I am so proud to be part of a moment where more women, especially women of color, are being elected across the country, opening up new perspectives that lead to real, positive change for all communities. “

She also said it’s great to see women like Kamala Harris breaking the glass ceiling too.

“This shows the progress we are making toward a government that truly reflects the diversity of our country,” Davids said. “People tell me how important it is to see leaders sharing and understanding their experiences, and it’s exciting to think about how far we can go from here. Such representation brings powerful voices and paves the way for more inclusive and effective policies. “

Davids has held his elected position since 2019. As she sees a new generation of political leaders enter the field, she advises them to stay focused.

“Stay focused amidst the noise,” Davids said. “People will try to push you away, but if you show the willingness to do the work, positive changes will follow. Your efforts are vital and we need you to continue to move forward.”