Black women in Natchez excited about prospect of a President Kamala Harris

NATCHEZ — Women leaders in the Black community here say that Kamala Harris’s seeking the Democratic presidential nomination has energized the party and will motivate non-traditional voters to go to the polls.

Jarita Frazier-King, a Natchez businesswoman, community organizer, and activist, said she hopes the Democratic party makes the smart choice and Harris becomes the nominee for president.

“I think she will be able to rally voters and bridge the gap between college students and people who are non-traditional voters, and I’m not just talking about Black women, but other minorities, too,” Frazier-King said. “Now, we need to get her confirmed and see who she chooses as a running mate.”

At this point, Frazier-King said she thinks Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear would make a good vice presidential choice for Harris.

“He has a really great rapport with both parties in Kentucky, and he is a very hard worker,” she said. “But there are a couple of different names floating out there, and I think they would be interesting prospects, too.

“I am excited. My daughters are excited. We have been talking about the possibilities, but of course, some naysayers are already coming forward. We need to get her confirmed first. I haven’t felt this much excitement since President Obama.”

Harris is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, one of the “Divine Nine” predominantly Black Greek organizations.

“That’s about 2.5 million people right there who will support her,” Frazier-King said. “We had a conference call last night and Black Women for Kamala Harris raised $700,000 in two hours.

“We will be doing things in the community to support her. We are going to have a meeting here for all women of the community to focus on women’s rights,” she said.

Terri McGruder, who works in the Jefferson County School District, said she will support Harris “in every avenue I possibly can. I think she will bring the party together and lead by example.”

McGruder said she is grateful for President Joe Biden’s accomplishments and thinks Harris will do a good job of carrying on Democratic policies. She also said that as a woman, Harris will serve the country well.

“I think that anything she doesn’t know, she will stay up all night if she has to (in order) to learn about it. That’s the female mentality. She will attach herself to someone who does if she doesn’t know something. And she will herself research and learn and build that knowledge herself,” she said. “I believe she has the heart and compassion that we need, and I think she is an inclusive person. I think she doesn’t exclude people based on gender or nationality.”

McGruder is also a member of a Divine Nine sorority, Delta Sigma Theta,

Dr. Helen M. Davis is CEO of Ag Market Links Enterprises and is co-founder of The Leading Ladies Society. Davis said she thinks Harris will do an excellent job of continuing to carry the torch.

“Given the trials and tribulations of the Democratic Party lately, I think she is in an excellent position to bring the party together. After the debate, there was almost hopelessness,” she said.

“For some Black and brown girls, it’s a ray of hope in a society when we need hope. It means that, given the opportunity with all fairness behind you, we can be whatever we want to be regardless of your background,” Davis said. “You have to have had the experience we have had growing up. You can get into a position and expect fairness to be there, but we have to work twice as hard because someone doesn’t want you there because of who you are, not what you know how to do.”

As social action committee chair of her Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Davis said she isn’t endorsing a candidate.

“We don’t endorse anyone. We ensure people are registered to vote and urge them to use that right to vote,” Davis said.

Dr. Neifa Hardy, City of Natchez community liaison, said Harris’s seeking the nomination is a step in the right direction.

“Having a little girl, where she can be able to see a woman who looks like her and have a woman in this position to fight for women’s rights, rights of reproduction, and who understands all women, that’s exciting,” Hardy said.

“To have someone in this position where all little girls of color and all little girls, in general, can see and be able to say, I can do this … when people say shoot for the stars, you can be anything you want to be, Kamala Harris is certainly a great example of that,” she said.

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