Lateefah Simon speaks on stage, credit Joe Raedle:Getty Images

Newsbrief

Wednesday November 13, 2024

11.13.24Carlos Aguilar

The moment a single mom and her kids find out she passed the exam

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@yougonloverhi I PASSED!!!! #barexam #barexam2024 #attorney #blackattorney #singlemom #singlemomlife #singlemomsoftiktok #lawyer #blacklawyer #blacklawyers #blacklawyersoftiktok #joy #blackgirlmagic #blackmoms #blackmomsoftiktok #lawyerbae #shedidit #ididit #tearsofjoy #happytears #cabar #cabarexam #california ♬ original sound – Ya BabyDaddy Favorite Attorney

Lateefah Simon, former Bay Area executive director, elected to Congress and ready to “fight like hell”

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Lateefah Simon speaks on stage, credit Joe Raedle:Getty Images

Lateefah Simon is a widowed mom who is taking a new job, moving her 13-year-old to a new school. She was born legally blind and her life is about to go through some further upheaval.

When asked what worries her most, Simon paused for a moment, then took a deep breath. Simon answered, “I will do whatever I can so that my eighth grader finishes her science homework. And, God bless, try to help her pass that French class too.”

Simon, 48, arrives in Washington Monday for orientation sessions near Capitol Hill having been elected as the new U.S. Congresswoman representing California’s 12th District, which includes Oakland and Berkley.

Read the rest of the story on CBS >

Lawyer Shomari Figures becomes Alabama’s first Black congressman since 1832

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Representative elect Shomari Figures, credit Tom Williams:CQ-Roll Call, Inc:Getty Images

Tuesday night was a celebratory one for voters in Alabama’s newly redrawn second congressional district two. Shomari Figures, who was born in Mobile, was elected to the US House of Representatives, becoming the first Black person to hold the position since 1832. To some district two residents, Figures’ election is proof that their work to get the district redrawn and to educate voters was worth it. For them, Figures, who worked in Barack Obama’s White House, represents an opportunity for change and progress in the majority-Black district.

Read the rest of the story on The Guardian >

Sarah Mcbride just became the first trans member of Congress, and she wants everyone to stop blaming trans people

Say It Louder

In the aftermath of the 2024 election results, a handful of political pundits and two Democratic members of Congress have pointed fingers at transgender people, blaming them for Kamala Harris’s loss in the presidential race. While few voices are echoing these claims, prominent publications like The Atlantic and The New York Times have amplified these sentiments to millions of readers, despite limited evidence linking transgender issues to Democratic losses. Now, Sarah McBride, the first transgender Democratic congressperson in U.S. history, is pushing back.

During a press conference held by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which represents over 100 progressive members of Congress, caucus chair Pramila Jayapal was asked, “Some have blamed that voters in your party have leaned too far into culture war issues, transgender issues… how should your party respond to that?” In response, Jayapal turned to other caucus members present, prompting Sarah McBride to step forward and deliver a sharp rebuke of those claims.

“Let’s be clear,” McBride started. “The party that was focused on culture wars… the party that was focused on trans people… was the Republican Party. 

Read the rest of the story on The Advocate >