There are 100 U.S. Senate seats representing the America people, but as of this day in 2016, not one is occupied by a black woman. And in fact, the Senate is 94 percent white and 80 percent male. 

The Senate is charged with overseeing all branches of the federal government. Senators propose author and vote on federal laws that really effect every aspect of our lives, both at home and abroad. They’re supposed to represent, uphold and protect the interests of the American people at the highest levels of government, so there’s a huge miss to not have black women, with our brilliance and contribution and commitment, at the table. 

But only one black woman has ever been elected to serve in the U.S. Senate. That was a Democrat from Chicago who was elected in ‘92 and she only served one term. That’s Carol Moseley Braun. Now this year, in 2016, the Democratic Party had the opportunity to elect a second black woman to the Senate. Out of the state of Maryland we had an opportunity to elect a strong progressive, a true champion, a supporter of social justice, who knows and understands first hand the realities that face people today. So let’s take a closer look at how that played out.

Her name is Donna Edwards. That’s Congresswoman Donna Edwards, and the Democratic Party – the party that prides itself on being the party of inclusion – missed the moment. Democrats failed to see the value of a progressive black woman serving in the U.S. Senate (and instead, immediately funded and endorsed her white male, primary opponent, Chris Van Hollen).

Congresswoman Edwards knew big money would try to discredit her candidacy … but the Democratic Party, it’s leadership and some key members of congress did not join her in the fight. In fact, they worked actively against her, and as a result, the party failed us miserably.