As the country prepares for another Donald Trump administration, Black women across the country are reflecting on the role they’ve played—and continue to play—in shaping the political landscape.
Historically, Black women have been at the forefront of electoral victories, mobilizing communities and advocating for policies that benefit not just their families but society as a whole. However, following the intense demands of campaigning and voting in the 2024 election, many are now taking a step back—to rest, recharge, and reflect. But don’t mistake this pause for surrender; it’s simply a brief intermission before they continue the fight for justice, equity, and change
Black women’s voter turnout: A driving force
In recent elections, Black women have proven to be an electoral force that cannot be ignored.
During the 2024 presidential election, a report by the Center for American Progress showed that Black women voted at a higher rate than any other demographic group, with 91% of eligible Black women casting ballots.
Black women vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Kamala Harris, who would have been the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to win the presidency. Harris’ loss to Donald Trump spurred a wave of Black women across social media resolving to prioritize themselves, before giving so much to a country that over and over has shown its indifference to their concerns.
“I think one of the reasons Black women were so disgusted with this election outcome is because we’re so tired,” said voting advocate Pam Gaskin. “This pall has come over us because we allowed ourselves to hope. I didn’t even allow myself to hope with Barack Obama, but I allowed myself to hope this time. And I think that did it. I don’t want to become someone who says ‘I will never hope again’ but so many of us say, ‘I’m not doing that again.’ But it’s not coming from a negative place. It is coming from a place of protection. I’m gonna protect my peace. So we’re gonna do things differently.”
AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy in the United States was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But with Trump set to return to office next month, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to.
“It’s a reflective period for me because, from the voting standpoint, Black women have done their part,” said political strategist Carla Brailey. “We always do our part. For the last probably three presidential cycles, it has been crystal clear that all women, it doesn’t matter what race, we’re not on the same page. And right now, I just feel like this is a time for us to reflect and regroup.”
“The reality is that Black women are not just voting—we are leading,” Gaskin said. “We are the backbone of every election. Our voices and our votes make a difference, and we will continue to show up, but sometimes we need to take a step back and rest. We’ve earned it.”
The need for rest: A strategic pause
After years of high-intensity activism, Black women leaders and voters are taking a moment to rest—not out of apathy, but as a necessary step toward long-term engagement. For many, the emotional and physical toll of navigating systemic racism, fighting for reproductive rights, and advocating for economic justice can be overwhelming. And with the pressure of leading campaigns, attending rallie,s and pushing for legislative change, burnout is a real concern.
“I am close to 80 years old and I asked a friend, ‘Do we have it in us to do this again?’ And you know what? We actually do, because it’s in our DNA,” Gaskin said. “I’m not one to throw in the towel. However, I think that we can’t do the things we’ve always done or we’re going to get the results we’ve always gotten. But we have to come up with a different action plan. And I believe that Black women are well situated to come up with that plan, because we are out of the box thinkers. We are planners, we are doers, and we are collaborators.”
“The women I talk to every day are not choosing to throw their hands up, but they are choosing peace,” added Houston-based therapist Nettie Jones. “This is an opportunity to rest, to restore and renew, so that they can reconnect. And I think the reconnection is that sisterhood. The power of us together. Yes, we are exhausted, we are tired. Many women felt numb. And so I think the pullback is like, wait a minute, I’ve gotta step back. I’ve gotta create my own piece.”
What’s being done: Moving beyond the polls
While taking a step back is part of the plan, it doesn’t mean Black women are leaving the political arena. Many are focusing on ways to make lasting change beyond just casting their vote.
- Building Political Infrastructure: Grassroots organizations led by Black women are working to build sustainable political infrastructure that will continue to mobilize voters year-round. Groups like the Black Voters Matter Fund and Fair Fight Action are focused on voter education, registration, and combating voter suppression. These organizations are laying the groundwork for future victories by organizing in local communities, particularly in Southern states.
- Creating Safe Spaces for Rest: Black women-led initiatives are also working to create spaces where activists can recharge and heal. The wellness movement among Black women, centered on self-care and mental health, is gaining momentum. It’s about recognizing that to fight for others, we must first fight for ourselves.
- Building Cross-Generational Movements: Younger generations of Black women are being mentored by elder activists, ensuring that the baton is passed and the fight for justice continues. These intergenerational networks are crucial in keeping the momentum going, while also providing the younger activists with the knowledge and wisdom of those who’ve been fighting for decades.
“The women I talk to every day are not choosing to throw their hands up, but they are choosing peace,” said Houston-based therapist Nettie Jones. “This is an opportunity to rest, to restore and renew, so that they can reconnect. And I think the reconnection is that sisterhood. The power of us together. Yes, we are exhausted, we are tired. Many women felt numb. And so I think the pullback is like, wait a minute, I’ve gotta step back. I’ve gotta create my own piece.”
Taking action in the midst of rest
While some take a brief reprieve, Black women still push forward in the fight for justice in their communities. Many have turned their focus toward legislative change, specifically addressing the needs of Black women in the areas of healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.
A recent poll from the Black Women’s Roundtable found that 87% of Black women believe their voices will have a greater impact in state and local elections, emphasizing the importance of focusing on down-ballot races. In addition to voting, Black women leverage their influence by running for office. At last count, over 1,000 Black women were running for office nationwide, a surge showing the deep commitment to political involvement and leadership.
“Black women have to come up with a strategy and agenda on how we move forward collectively. It’s important to check into politics because you want to know what’s going on because then you know how to move. And so over-consumption can definitely get the best of us, but we still need to know what we need to do. The hands-off approach will get us absolutely nothing,” Jones said.
Gaskin also believes Black women must step up and educate the younger generation. She and the League of Women Voters are organizing Voters College for this very reason.
“Young people are not being taught in the public school system civics any longer,” she said. “So we can either throw up our hands or we can roll up our sleeves and we can start teaching civics. Texas wants to teach Bible lessons in public schools, but they don’t want young people to know that the state legislature so we’re setting out to change that. Those are the types of things we must do.”
Sidebar
Quotes from the frontlines
“People think when Black women say we are unbothered, that means we no longer care. That’s not the case at all. We just know when someone shows you who they are, believe them. America showed us. No need for us to cry, stress out, feed into the madness. We’re protecting our peace, taking a rest and when the time is right, we’ll help on the next cause IF we are so inclined. Just don’t invite me to your p*ssy hat marches because I’m not coming.” – Layla Jones
“I have no plans to stop advocating for my community. But I also have to acknowledge that we cannot keep going without self-care. Taking a break doesn’t mean giving up. It means we come back stronger.” – Yolanda Williams
“We “can’t be tired, yet! The joy of the Lord is our strength! We will take our rest and ‘resume’ in the appropriate manner at the appointed time(s).” -Migonne Anderson
“We know how to make a dollar out of 15 cents. We’re gonna be alright. We always are.” – Candy McQueen
“I am going to rest, but I am also being strategic in my approach to political engagement.” – Amy Kirkland
“Resting is an act of self-preservation, but it is also a reminder that the fight for justice is ongoing, and Black women will be at the forefront when it’s time to rise again. Whether it’s organizing, legislating, or simply voting, we are not just standing by—we are preparing for the next battle.” – Lois Patterson
“This is NOT the first time we’ve gotten screwed in an election.Just trying to protect my inner peace this time around.” – Vanessa Powell Pinnock
“This holiday season, Black women are choosing rest over burnout, knowing full well that the work will never stop. But when they return, they will be stronger, healthier, and more determined than ever.” – Simone Wooten
