With the Democratic National Convention around the corner next month, supporters are excited to see Hillary Clinton elevated as the presumptive party nominee. Even though this will be both a big day for Clinton and a historical moment for women, she’s not the only person making history at the DNC.
Dr. Leah Daughtry, chief executive officer of the Democratic National Convention, will make history in more ways than one. Dr. Daughtry serves as a strong, unapologetic political figure helping change the trajectory of an event almost as big as the inauguration.
This week in #stopaskingpermission, we highlight the black woman behind the DNC and give you 11 things you should know about her mission.
1. She is a Reverend.
Coming from a strong religious background, Reverend Doctor Leah Daughtry is a fifth generation pastor. She is known to be an outspoken, Pentecostal politician who uses her faith as her foundation.
2. She is an Ivy League graduate.
Dr. Daughtry is a 1984 graduate of Dartmouth College. During her time in undergrad, she realized that her faith would serve as a foundation for her political career.
3. Daughtry’s parents gave her an early start in politics.
Her father, Reverend Herbert Daughtry, is well known for being not just a minister but also a civil rights leader. He taught his children early on the importance of being involved in the democratic process.
“When we were kids we went to Albany every year to meet our representatives,” she told NBC News. “You can’t make people vote. You can’t tell them who to vote for. But we grew up with this awareness of who our elected people are, and that they had authority over our neighborhoods — where the parks are going to be, what time the trash was coming, whether there was a street light or a stop sign.”
4. She’s worked with Reverend Jesse Jackson.
As a senior at Dartmouth, Daughtry led Reverend Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign in New Hampshire.
5. She’s been leading the pack for years
Daughtry has held several senior posts at the United States Department of Labor such as Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Chief of Staff and acting Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management.
6. Daughtry has previous experience with Clinton campaigns.
In 1992, Daughtry worked on the Clinton-Gore transition team. Daughtry is one of very few people who has worked with both the former President and First Lady in their Presidential capacity.
7. She has a push to combine religion and politics.
“Martin Luther King, by his life and example, seamlessly weaved these two seemingly divergent interests,” Daughtry said in a 2007 interview with Dartmouth. “I have spent my life trying to do the same.”
8. Daughtry influenced the Democratic Party in reaching out to the faith community.
Daughter founded Faith in Action, the Democratic Party’s outreach to the faith community.
Daughtry told NBC BLK, “Everybody accepts that black Christians are Democrats. I know from my work with communities of faith — Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, people of every faithful persuasion who are part of the Democratic Party — and they don’t often speak loudly or forcefully about it, but their faith also drives them to be Democrats.”
9. She pastors her own church in Washington D.C.
As pastor of House of the Lord Church, Daughtry believes that we should treat the needs of people as holy.
10. She is the FIRST to ever manage the Democratic National Convention twice.
In 2008 Daughtry was CEO of the Democratic National Convention and will serve in the same role for the 2016 convention. No other person has done so.
“I could not be more excited to lead the Democratic convention team,” Daughtry said. “This is an exciting time to be a Democrat, and we have an important opportunity to build on the progress we have made over the last six years, and to nominate, and help elect the 45th president of the United States. The road to the White House will begin right here in Philadelphia.”
11. She channels the spirit of Fannie Lou Hamer.
“I go into the hall the night before it opens. I go at about midnight just to walk and there’s no one there — except a few media people poking around — and I feel their spirits. It’s like ‘OK Miss Hamer. Here I am, and I’m in the place where you should have been.’ … I thank them and I honor them because without them I wouldn’t have this chance. I wouldn’t have this opportunity.”
No matter your denomination or faith, we can all agree that Dr. Leah Daughtry is one to be celebrated. She is strong in her mission to bring faith to the table and is on a mission that includes making the needs of people, something sacred. To celebrate her and not follow her lead in voting would be pointless. So let’s stop asking for permission to change the world and follow in her foot steps of pushing for change.
#stopaskingpermission
