By Laura Haight,
President, Democratic Women of Greenville County

Let’s talk a bit about the number 47.

When she is elected, Kamala Harris will be the 47th president of the United States – the first woman, the first African-American, and the first Asian-American. 

But the number 47 represents something else we learned this month: South Carolina is 47th in the country in the participation of women in elected office. That’s perhaps not surprising but still demoralizing. 

However, it’s also an improvement. That’s right, it’s better than it has been. In fact, since 2020, we have been dead last for 10 consecutive years from 2003-2012, 49th for two, 48th for 4, and this is the 4th time at 47th. Overall, in the state legislature, this year, women account for 16 percent of that body. 

That puts us below sub-Saharan Africa, and – of all things – Arab states. And we are significantly behind the US national average of 28.9 percent which is nothing to write home about either. That puts our country 76th out of 185 countries reported by the United Nations. And behind Iraq, Columbia, Sierra Leone, and Vietnam, to name a few. Who’s number 1, you ask? Rwanda. With 63 percent of women holding national elected office.

Women’s voices are missing from decision making at every level of governance in the vast majority of countries around the globe. Why does this matter and more importantly for this group, how does it relate to us?

Women’s political participation is critical for a well-functioning democracy, according to the UN. Our inclusion is a matter of justice and a key factor in creating more effective governance. Having more women in policymaking has shown to help advance legislation on crucial issues, such as health, education, childcare, infrastructure and ending violence against women and serve as an inspiration for girls to pursue higher education and career opportunities.

We have none of that here in South Carolina … and inconsistent policy results across the nation. In SC, our legislators comfortably hold all three branches for the 21st consecutive year. They feel emboldened and invulnerable. They have no concerns that their voters will hold them accountable and, as such, are enacting laws that in many cases large percentages of bipartisan voters do not agree with or approve of. Those actions include prosecuting a war on women. It’s evident both in what they do and what they don’t do. 

Ending women’s reproductive rights, passing restrictive bills impacting the LGBTQ+ community, passing permitless carry over the objections of several law enforcement organizations – in a state that leads the nation in the deaths of women by guns in the hands of spouses or partners are all examples of their anti-woman actions.

But what about what they don’t do?

– They haven’t ever addressed raising the minimum wage. South Carolina has the second highest rate of single-family households in the country. 41 percent. The vast majority of those are households headed by women.

– This summer, the governor refused to accept federal funds to provide free lunch to school children, further burdening low-wage working families and the women who keep them going. 

– The state legislature has refused to expand Medicaid – a decision that leaves 300,000+ working families without health care. Disproportionately affecting working women with children.

– Rep. Chandra Dillard has diligently introduced a bill to close the gender pay gap in each of the last three or four sessions. It dies in committee each time without even getting a hearing. That gap affects every woman: white, black, asian, indigenous, latino… Not a big deal for an overwhelmingly male legislature.

– And they could not pass a Hate Crime bill, leaving South Carolina the ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY without this on the books.

This year, we have an outstanding field of Democratic candidates, but to this specific point: We have women. 

We have Kathryn Harvey, Octavia Amaechi, our warrior Chandra Dillard, Shauna Johnson and Karine Debaty. 

And we have two weeks. 

In those two weeks, we must mobilize our friends and neighbors to get out and vote. So many new people have been excited by Kamala’s candidacy. But excited is not synonymous with getting off your butt and going to vote. This is where we can – where we must – make a difference

The GCDP has two days of action coming up on the next two Saturdays, including phone banking and lit dropping. 

And Democratic Women is having “Do Something” Days from the start of Early Voting to Election Day. We have in person and virtual GOTV phone banking using the GCDP’s call lists and script; and we are encouraging you to do neighborhood lit dropping – contact me for info on how to get started. There are cards on your tables with info and links!

Those of you who are active with individual campaigns will likely be working with them in these last days. Thank you for your commitment.

Flipping (at least) one damn seat, electing (at least) one new woman. That’s the beginning of change. Not change we want to see but change we need to see, the change we must see.

I will be at our phone bankings on the 21st, 25th, 28th, and 30th. Please don’t make me hang out in that office alone! Maybe we’ll go out for a glass of wine, a cup of coffee, or an ice cream when we get done. But I need you, these candidates who have been working their butts off need you, and more to the point, a functional South Carolina needs you.