Black women typically show up and show out during local, state, and national elections. Their appearance at the polls is nothing new, but now more than ever, black women are not only the ones in line, but are also the ones being voted for.
Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy, 37, of Virginia, is cultivating the change she, and many of us want to see. Foy targets high demand issues such as healthcare, gun reform, equal pay, housing rights, and more.
A public defender, Virginia Military Institute alumna, wife, and mother of toddler twins, Foy has proved she can do just about anything. The Petersburg, Virginia native, who first took her seat in office in 2017, announced last month she would be seeking reelection this coming fall, to continue representing her district — which sits just a few miles outside of Washington, D.C.
Most recently, Foy has made her support of common-sense gun laws clear; particularly as the issue of gun violence plagues the state of Virginia. A recent forum on the topic took place earlier this month, after Governor Ralph Northam announced eight gun reform bills. Foy supports these bills, which call for background checks for all firearm transactions, the banning of assault weapons, and other egregious forms of firearms, as well as increasing the punishments for allowing children under 18 to access loaded guns.
Earlier this year, Emily's List — the largest national political organization for women seeking election and/or have been elected, honored Foy with the Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award. Blavity had a chance to chat with them about the strides she has made thus far as a delegate.
"I like to remind people what the president does may not ever affect you," she told Blavity. "If you're talking about transportation, increasing teacher's salaries; if you're talking about keeping our schools safe, and bringing high paying jobs, then you're really talking about the local office."
Foy was speaking of the importance in local politics and elections.
Regarding the work she's done so far, over the past year a minority judge was elected to almost every bench in Virginia under Foy's leadership.
"A lot of the issues I've taken up such as reforming cash bail, also diversifying the bench is greatly important because judges should reflect the communities they serve. When you talk about issues sensitive to certain communities, you're talking about ensuring there is representation throughout the criminal justice system from our law enforcement to our judges, to our sheriffs to our commonwealth attorneys, to our judges," Foy said.
One of the counties in her district, Fairfax County, went almost 30 years without having a black judge appointed to the bench, which in Foy's words is "unjust."
Another issue important to Foy includes equal pay for women.
"African American women are paid around 70 cents to a white man's dollar. If we pay women what they are entitled to, we not only lift women out of poverty, but we can lift families and communities out of poverty, and that's what's important," Foy said.
Foy calls this an equity and economic issue, and plans to push for the Equal Rights Amendment to get passed in 2020, so women can finally obtain equal pay.
Last year, Foy organized a teacher's town hall, where she was able to learn the issues of educators across the state, regarding their pay.
"Unless you're a teacher, boots on the ground, you don't know that. Teachers feel as though they aren't respected. They're licensed professionals just like doctors and lawyers and should be treated as such. Often times teachers have two jobs just to make ends meet, and that's a problem," Foy said.
Issues that disproportionately impact African American communities, such as marijuana laws and cash bail systems, have a specific impact on the way Foy approaches her responsibility as a black woman in political leadership.
As a member of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, Foy said, "I do feel an extra sense of responsibility towards minority communities and poor communities. One of the reasons I decided to become a legislator is so I could have a seat at the table and provide input and an impact on decisions being made." She continued, "When you're actually able to be a problem solver and not just a politician, I think that's what I love most about doing what I do."
Foy understands that while she has committed her life to civic engagement, she also wants to help others who want to do the same in dedicating their lives to doing the same, to empower folks to run and win, and even to encourage others to volunteer their time and resources.
She launched Virginia For Everyone, a political action committee (PAC) focuses on ensuring the Democratic Party of Virginia will win both the House and Senate this Fall.
To stay informed about how Delegate Foy is creating change in her state and beyond, visit jennifercarrollfoy.org, and follow her Twitter @JCarrollFoy.
