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RECOGNIZING BLACK HISTORY MONTH ESSAY CONTEST WINNER TOBI OJO
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HON. A. DONALD McEACHIN
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Friday, February 26, 2021
Mr. McEACHIN. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the exemplary work of Tobi Ojo, an 11th grade student at Grassfield High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, and the high school winner of the Black History Month essay contest I hosted earlier this month. Ms. Ojo wrote a powerful essay on Stacey Abrams' groundbreaking electoral successes and the exceptional work of African-American women across our nation. I am inspired by Ms. Ojo's words, and I encourage young people across our country to reflect on what this month means to them.
Since its creation less than 50 years ago, Black History Month has been a time to honor and reflect upon the remarkable achievements of the African-American community.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Tobi Ojo's exceptional work in celebration of Black History Month.
February is the month to celebrate black history, accomplishments, and excellence. When thinking of historical figures who embody these ideologies, many individuals would mention Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks. If neither of these historical figures is mentioned most people would say another popular African-American man. Black excellence in terms of African-American women is hardly recognized. One African-American lady who has been currently seen breaking societal expectations is politician and lawyer, Stacey Abrams.
Mrs. Abrams broke history by being the first black woman to be a major party nominee for governor in the United States. She was a former liberal State House leader who wanted to change the historically conservative state of Georgia. Her campaign was centered on ``the Georgia of tomorrow.'' Although she is not currently the governor of Georgia, no woman has ever come close to holding that position. Moreover, there has not been a governor position held by a black individual since the Reconstruction Era.
Stacey Abrams is also a successful graduate from Yale Law School. Outside of politics, Mrs, Abrams runs a small business and is a successful writer. Most of her successful books, such as Minority Leader: Lead From Outside and Our Time Is Now, center around her struggles and achievements in her life. These books inspire others like Mrs. Abrams to break societal standards set to hinder black lives in America.
Instead of allowing her race and gender to become a hindrance, Mrs. Abrams continues to strive to make a change in the state of Georgia. Georgia has had a history of black representation in small positions but not in statewide positions. Abrams continues to work to improve black communities in Georgia. One of her top priorities is to see more black women leaders in government positions (The New York Times 2021).
Stacey Abrams is also a voting rights activist who fights for Americans to have their voice heard through their votes. After seeing the massive mismanagement of Georgia's 2018 election, she decided to combat this problem. This was one of the reasons why she founded the Fair Fight. The Fair Fight helps educate voters on election reforms and advocate for election reform on various government levels. This organization promotes fair elections by encouraging fair elections in Georgia. Fair Fight focuses on empowering the voices of minorities and diminishing voter suppression (About Fair Fight/Fair Fight'' 2020).
Fair Fights was one of the many organizations that Stacey Abrams founded. In 2019, Fair Count was created. Fair Count was established to increase civic engagement in states and improve Census accuracy. Another organization that was created by Stacey Abrams is Southern Economic Advancement Project. The Southern Economic Advancement Project promotes public policies that improve economic power and increase equity in the South.
Stacey Abrams seeks to create change outside of Georgia and the United States. She is a member of former Secretary of State John Kerry's World War Zero bipartisan coalition which tries to educate individuals on climate change. Stacey Abrams has met with politicians in Taiwan, South Korea, Israel to bring about change on different issues worldwide (``About Stacey Abrams/Fair Fight'' 2021).
Politician and writer, Stacey Abrams, has won awards that shine her accomplishments and works. She was a recipient of John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award. Stacey Abrams continues to break history day by day by fighting for those who do not have a voice and representation in government policies and positions.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 37
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
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