African American Women And Their Quest For Congress

Abstract

As many barriers to Black electoral success were removed during the latter half of the 20th century, Black representation in Congress increased dramatically from 2 in 1949 to 38 in 2000. Many of these Black congresspersons (particularly from southern states) were first elected from majority Black districts but were subsequently reelected from majority White districts. However, the percentage of Blacks in Congress remains low. Black females face a double disadvantage when running for Congress because of race and gender biases. The 2000 congressional election in the third district of Louisville, Kentucky, provides an excellent case study to examine what obstacles Black females running for Congress outside the South encounter in forming multiracial coalitions to win election. This race pitted Eleanor Jordan, a Black female challenger, against Anne Northup, a White female incumbent.