U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, Yvette D. Clarke, and Bonnie Watson Coleman Lead the Women of the Congressional Black Caucus to Call on Congressional Leaders to Protect Black Women and Girls

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) led an effort by Congresswomen in the Congressional Black Caucus urging Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pass the bipartisan Protect Black Women and Girls Act of 2021 before the end of this year. Representatives Kelly, Clarke, and Watson Coleman are the co-leads of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls. Please click here for a copy of the full letter. 

An overwhelming majority of the women of the Congressional Black Caucus signed this letter, highlighting the urgency of passing this legislation before the end of the 117^th Congress.  

The Protect Black Women and Girls Act of 2021 establishes an interagency task force on Black women and girls to identify programs and recommend incentives to support access to quality education, jobs, healthcare, justice, and housing for Black women and girls.Congress has already taken necessary bipartisan action toward justice by establishing the 2020 Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act (S.2163). Faced with the oppression of both sexism and racism, Black women and girls often confront unique and disproportionate barriers to educational opportunities, wage growth and maternal care. This bill would be a vital step toward addressing these injustices. 

 “Our constitution mandates life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all, passing this legislation would be a vital step toward actually achieving this ideal for American Black women and girls,” said the signatories of the letter. “As the 117^th Congress comes to a close, it is urgent that both the House and the Senate consider and pass this critical legislation.” 

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