Hillary Rodham Clinton to keynote Ida’s Legacy Fundraiser Luncheon

Ida’s Legacy is the only PAC in Illinois to focus on Progressive African-American Women Candidates

The Ida B. Wells Legacy Committee is pleased to announce the Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton will be the keynote speaker at the political action committee’s first luncheon fundraiser, Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, 301 E. North Water Street.

Ida’s Legacy, which was formed in response to the 2016 election, is the only Illinois PAC with a focus on developing and supporting Progressive African-American women candidates.

In the 2016 presidential election, 94 percent of African-American women voted for Hillary Clinton to become the first woman President of the United States. In 2008, nearly 69 percent of black women went to the polls to elect Barack Obama as the first black President. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2008, black women had the highest voter turnout rate for the first time among all racial, ethnic and gender groups. Black women voter turnout continued to outpace every other group in 2012, 2016 and in last year’s Alabama special election.  For the first time in 25 years, a Democrat won a senate seat thanks to a 98 percent turnout of black women voters. Yet, black women still lack significant representation—even on the U.S. Supreme Court.

“After the 2016 election, I noticed white women were forming political action committees all over the country to encourage women to run. So, I asked myself why are we letting the women who stayed home organize and we’re not organizing,” says Delmarie Cobb, founder of Ida’s Legacy.

A veteran media and political consultant, Cobb explains the loyalty of black women voters is not translating into advancements for black women. Black women still make only 64 cents to every dollar a white man earns. Twice as many black women have no health insurance compared to white women. Black women live five years less than their white counterparts. Last, black women make up 53 percent of the black workforce, but are more likely to work in low wage jobs with no benefits and little possibility for advancement.

“It’s an honor that Hillary Clinton is choosing to support the challenging work of Ida’s Legacy,” acknowledges Cobb.  “Getting women in office who can fill the shoes of Ida B. Wells won’t be easy, but it will be fulfilling.  Hillary’s support gets us one step closer.”