Thread by @karlajstrand

Next session I'll be tweeting: "Lifting as We Climb": Bridging the Political and Technological Information Gap for African American Women. On the panel: Kenisha Thomas,
and from Florida A&M, Jessica Washington, Sierra Eklund, and Imani Hutchinson. #ASALH2020

Kenisha Thomas is also from FAMU. All of from the Social Work Dept. First is a video about the Black women's clubb movement. The motto was "Lifting as we climb." Humanitarian, education, business, racial and gender rights and issues were all focused on. #ASALH2020

Black women's clubs made and are making huge impacts in Black women's lives. They were the first to fight for freedom and find unity in spite of struggle. #ASALH2020

Dr. Kenisha Thomas is up first. She has brought the next generation of scholars with her as panelists. Black women's clubs encouraged using and accessing voting rights, resources in the community, etc. to make social justice reforms. #ASALH2020

Thomas: Black women's club members were strategists, politically informed, smart, valued education, teachers, journalists, and they developed grassroots orgs that positively impacted Black communities. #ASALH2020

Washington: Political influencers included Ida B Wells, Adella Hunt Logan, and Francis Ellen Watkins Harper. Washington briefly described their groundbreaking accomplishments. #ASALH2020

Thomas: Black women's clubs established a framework of activism. Terrell was a leader and educator locally. Mobilized Black women's movement with Wells. Knew they needed reform. In order to change laws, we must change policies, so must elect people to rep Black people. #ASALH2020

Thomas: Importance of mentorship of next generation and working on local, state, and federal levels. Must focus on accountability of elected officials. Must control own narratives. #ASALH2020

Washington: Women in politics historical overview, beginning with Shirley Chisholm in 1968, on to Carol Moseley Brain in 1992, Condoleezza Rice in 2005, Loretta Lynch in 2015, and Kamala Harris today.#ASALH2020

Washington: All these women made history. Engaging generations is imperative at all levels to promote political action, continuing the legacy of Black women's clubs. Use new technologies and trusted in-person methods to reach all women.#ASALH2020

Hutchinson discusses women involved in social justice activism: Fannie Barrier Williams, Anna J. Cooper, and Marry Talbert. These women knew people were connected and that women's issues were issues of all people. #ASALH2020

Hutchinson: These women focused on intersectionality, collaboration, militancy, leadership, education, more. Led to later and current movements and leaders, such as Black Panthers' Elaine Brown, Combahee River Collective's Barbara Smith, and BLM's Alicia Garza. #ASALH2020

Hutchinson: The work of the Black women's club movement and Civil Rights movement have informed current fights against police brutality, school to prison pipeline, employment inequality, and mass incarceration. #ASALH2020

Hutchinson: There are many opportunities to engage multiple generations to make forward movement. Use the strengths and interests of each generation to benefit the current movements. #ASALH2020

Eklund discusses Black women who fought against economic inequality: Josephine St Pierre Ruffin, Maggie Walker, and Mary McLeod Bethune. These women focused on business, banking, ownership, education, insurance, wealth, voting rights. #ASALH2020

Eklund: Mass incarceration can increase economic disparities. Discriminatory practices like redlining were barriers to home ownership. Black vets couldn't take advantage of GI Bill. #ASALH2020

Eklund: Bethune and others laid the foundation for tearing down barriers to wealth for Black community: supporting Black enterprise, financial literacy and legacy, long-term investments, policy reform, education importance, use of tech. #ASALH2020

Thomas: Integration of generational collaboration is imperative. Welcome younger generations' ideas, creativity, tech skills. Older generations can mentor and encourage activity. All can support Black business and increase partnerships. #ASALH2020

Thomas: These women were nurturers and protectors. Asked "How can my voice be heard?" Focused on uplifting their communities. Today there are the same questions and similar issues. Build on what they built and use it as a blueprint. #ASALH2020

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