Veteran and emerging Black women activists are joining forces to advance voting rights and ensure voter registration ahead of the upcoming elections. Among these passionate advocates is Judy Richardson, an esteemed voting rights activist and documentary producer, who emphasizes to young Black female activists the critical importance of not only voting but also engaging in long-term organizing efforts. “I may never see the change that I’m working for, but if I do nothing, nothing changes,” Richardson reflects, highlighting the responsibility to pave the way for future generations.

In Atlanta, Mary-Pat Hector, a 26-year-old leader of the nonpartisan organization RISE, actively engages students at historically Black colleges. During a recent visit to Clark Atlanta University, she rallied her team, collecting 263 pledges from students to vote and registering seven individuals on the spot. “It always felt like this was something I just needed to do,” Hector stated, recalling how her commitment to voting rights intensified during the 2016 presidential election. She expressed a pressing urgency akin to “beating down the clock” as she prepares for the upcoming election on November 5.

Hector is part of a dynamic younger generation of Black women who are continuing the vital work of registering voters and mobilizing communities. This legacy is shared by experienced activists like Melanie Campbell, 61, and Judy Richardson, 80, who have long been at the forefront of the voting rights movement. Their experiences span decades, from the Civil Rights Movement to contemporary initiatives like Black Lives Matter.

“I want to help our people, and I believe you can’t do that without having an impact through the political system,” Campbell, who leads the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, asserts. She reminds us that democracy is a continuous battle: “It’s still something we have to fight to keep.”

At Prairie View A&M University in Texas, Richardson shared insights with fellow veterans about their grassroots organizing strategies from the 1960s. These meetings, held at historically Black colleges and civil rights museums, are designed to equip young activists with the tools they need. “You have a responsibility to make this world better than it was when you came into it,” Richardson said, reaffirming her commitment to training the next generation.

In recent years, the political landscape has seen a surge of Black women stepping into elected positions. According to the Center for American Women and Politics, this shift reflects a growing recognition of their leadership and influence. “Everyone is recognizing the sheer power of the leadership of Black women,” noted Wendy Smooth, an associate professor at Ohio State University.

Black women have played crucial roles in pivotal electoral outcomes, including the 2017 Senate victory of Doug Jones in Alabama and the successful mobilization of voters in the 2020 presidential election. Their activism has also propelled candidates like Kamala Harris and Ketanji Brown Jackson into historic positions of power.

As head of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Campbell has spearheaded extensive voter engagement campaigns across several states, including Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Her journey began in the 1980s as a student at Clark Atlanta University, where she first became involved in activism.

“We’re going to always have to fight for it in some way,” Campbell remarked, emphasizing the historical challenges Black Americans have faced. “Part of how you suppress was the suppression of the vote. So it’s something that each generation has to fight for.”

Hector, who is seven months pregnant, views the upcoming election as a matter of life and death. She expresses concern over declining reproductive rights, stating, “For me, this upcoming election means more than just voting… my life depends on it.” As the CEO of RISE, she is focused on empowering youth and encouraging them to engage in the political process.

To foster this engagement, Hector developed the “Black the Vote” initiative, which trains Black students to serve as peer advocates for voting. “With young voters, I think what makes them feel heard is talking to them about the issues that they care about the most,” she said.

The commitment of seasoned activists like Campbell to mentor younger leaders is vital for sustaining this movement. “I’m going to do all I can in my dash and try to train others and lift up other young leadership,” Campbell stated. The collective efforts of these women highlight a powerful legacy of activism that will shape the future of voting rights in America.