This portrait project celebrates Black women in Pennsylvania politics and aims to inspire women and girls everywhere – Essence

The inspiring portrait project initiative was launched to have fun the record variety of women serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and aims to inspire women and girls everywhere. The Dear Girl Project, led by the state’s first female speaker, aims to highlight the contributions and journeys of those trailblazing women.

“This August will be nine years since I have been a member of the House of Representatives,” said the Speaker. Joanna E. McClinton. “When I entered the House of Representatives, Pennsylvania was at the bottom of the national rankings in terms of representation. In this current session, where I was so fortunate, through the support of my colleagues, to become the first female speaker, we have the largest number of women ever to serve, interestingly, on both sides of the aisle.”

The speaker emphasized that the project, originally launched in March during Women’s History Month, is meant to have fun women’s achievements yr-round. “People don’t appreciate or appreciate how hard women work, where we lead and where we serve. So I would like to think that we don’t have to limit ourselves to celebrating Women’s History Month,” she said.

The “Dear Girl” Project features each female legislator in the caucus with knowledgeable portrait and a heartfelt letter to her younger self. Rich in themes of confidence, resilience, faith, self-love, and self-care, the letters offer inspiring insights and encouragement.

In all, 37 women participated in the project, 11 of whom were members of the PA Legislative Black Caucus. This diverse group includes Speaker McClinton herself, the state’s first woman and second Black speaker of the House, and Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, the primary openly lesbian member of the PA General Assembly.

Some of the opposite female leaders in Pennsylvania politics featured here include Rep. Carol Hill Evans, Rep. Carol Kazeem, Rep. Darisha Parker, Rep. Donna Bullock and Rep. Gina H. Curry.

“I didn’t see young black women in political leadership as a child or a young adult,” Speaker McClinton explained. “I’ve never had anyone pick up the phone and say, ‘Hey, so when were you speaker, floor leader, and caucus chair,’ because there’s never been a woman who’s done that.”

The aim of the project is to show young women and girls that they can also aspire to roles in public service. “We need to show our daughters, our nieces, that I am their aunt and godmother, just like they need to see us when they are young so that they start to think, oh, I don’t have to be limited to ordinary professions. I can also play a role in public government; I can serve other people,” she said

One unique aspect of the project is the inclusion of letters from women to their younger selves. “As current leaders, I acknowledge that I am not perfect, that I can get overwhelmed, and that I can have challenges,” the speaker said. “When we take a moment to write to our younger selves, we are able to reflect on the journey we have taken and how far we have come individually and collectively.”

The speaker also emphasized the importance of staying engaged in the political process, especially for Black women voters. “My message to Black women voters is: don’t be discouraged, disheartened, or weary of the fight. Our voices have significant power. They change circumstances, not permanently or immediately, but they do change.”

Reflecting on the strategy of writing to her younger self, the speaker said, “For me, those are the hardest times of my life because you’re so overwhelmed by what everyone else thinks. The world will never be able to say, you know, they accept you 100 percent. But it doesn’t matter.”

This portrait project aims to highlight the achievements of women in Pennsylvania politics and inspire future generations to seek leadership roles. As the speaker noted, “These are women who’re on the front lines, standing together, fighting for women of all colours, and casting their votes every time now we have the chance to support initiatives that may help women.