< Previous28 | TALK MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 to use-of-force and other policies, she said, “Ed Gainey was outspoken against police violence and legislating for police reform in Harrisburg. There was a hole that Ed filled.” Gainey will face a difficult challenge. No in- cumbent Pittsburgh mayor has lost a re-election bid in the post-World War II era, and Gainey’s fundraising prowess has been little tested in his own reelection bids. In 2020, he’d raised less than $35,000 by the end of November, with some of his largest donations that year coming from unions that include locals for the Laborers, the Operating Engineers and Steamfitters. But Gainey has a reputation as a skilled retail politician with a commanding presence on stage, and Hallam says he should have little trouble tapping into an energized network of Pittsburgh activists. “To me, there is one candidate in this race who is going to show up,” she said. “And it’s Ed Gainey.” State Rep. Ed Gainey continued from page 23 “There’s an inherent double standard and I often think a triple standard when it comes to black women,” she adds. “So, I’m going to continue to fight back against that narrative.” Jones’ advice for any black woman looking to get in the race? Get your money and your mind right. “Number one, make sure your budget can handle it,” she says. “Make sure your significant other is strong enough to handle it. Make sure your family is ready. Get as much information as you can about running a successful campaign. Be wary of consul- tants who want to take your money because they’re out here.” Jones says in her first race to be St. Louis trea- surer, she was outspent two to one and still won by 10 points. During the mayoral race, Jones spent $430,000 compared to Democratic primary win- ner Lyda Crewson’s 1.25 million dollars – and was still within 888 votes of winning. “Money isn’t everything,” Jones admits. “Make sure whatever money you make, you’re spending it in the right places. And get as much support as you can from these national organizations that want to see women succeed.” Jones says despite the loss, she is focused on being St. Louis Treasurer and open to running for mayor again. “I feel like God put me here for a reason and this is the work that God called me to do.” For political veterans like Congresswoman Maxine Waters, the surge of interest in women wanting to run for office is exactly what she’s been hoping for. “I’m so pleased to see the new spirit and the new involvement of young women who want to run for office and who want to be involved,” Congress- woman Waters told theGrio in an interview this spring. Trainings like the ones being held today are similar to the kind that got Waters to run for office in the 1970s. “It was the height of the women’s movement and I was one of the early ones who had the support of the women’s organized efforts,” Waters says. “And so, I ran for the California State Assembly and I won, running against the establishment.” “A lot of women work in the background and they should be the people making these decisions or at the table.” Congresswoman Waters says that getting more women and millennials into office is what will propel her party forward. “I want to be a catalyst to get these young people involved,” she says. “To get them inside basically the Democratic party and change it. And make it what they think it should be, representing all of the people and having a real place at the table.” Now that the Women’s Campaign School at Yale has finished, both Waikinya Clanton and Jasmine Sadat say they’re more determined than ever to win their future races. “Women leading isn’t a new concept,” Clanton says. “It is something we have been doing since the beginning of time.” “A lot of women work in the background and they should be the people making these decisions or at the table. So, it is no longer just me supporting the can- didate, it is me now actually being the candidate.” For Sadat, the training has only confirmed that politics is her calling. “Having that support system there helps me become more confident,” Sadat says. “I have a sister- hood behind me. If they can do it, I can do it. If she can run, I can run.” Black women running for office continued from page 20 HEALTH NEWS continued from page 17 National Medical Association created their own task force to review the FDA recommendations to ensure that there is credible African Ameri- can professional review and assessment of the risks and benefits (see https://www.nmanet.org/ news/544970/NMA-COVID-19-Task-Force- on-Vaccines-and-Therapeutics.htm). They have agreed with the FDA recommendations. As an African American physician who grew up and practiced for years in the inner city of Chicago, I understand the concerns. However, our communities have been the hardest hit by this pandemic and we already start at a disadvan- tage. We have to make full use of any opportu- nities to improve and protect the health of our communities so that we can achieve the equity needed to strengthen our communities. The COVID-19 vaccines are an important step for getting the country and our communities back on track. PLEASE NOTE: This article does not provide medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician before participating in activities described by this article. COLLEGE NEWS continued from page 6 LINCOLN “It just speaks volumes for Lincoln and our team,” she said. The campaign fund recognizes presidents for their prominent and influential leadership and ability to effectively move institutions forward. “Dr. Allen has provided numerous years of strategic vision, exceptional leadership, tireless devotion, and outstanding commitment to the Lin- coln University community as its 14th president,” Demetrius Johnson Jr., founder, president, and CEO of the campaign fund, said in a statement. “She continues to robustly advance the mission of the nation’s first degree-granting HBCU.” CHEYNEY "Because of my age, I was a little intimidated at first, so I was asking questions about everything. Everyone, from the teachers to my fellow students, was so helpful and supportive," said Lane. "I asked questions constantly in all of my classes and what I noticed was, after I was asking questions, my classmates would start. That's how we learn, and all of my teachers encouraged that." Lane said before the pandemic limited in-per- son classes she always sat in the front row, a one of a number of habits she encouraged her fellow students to follow. When classes went on-line, she utilized a backdrop of civil rights pioneers that inspire her as she takes classes in Wynnfield home. "When my mom started at Cheyney, my daugh- ter (Tori) started school at Howard, so they went to school together. They encouraged each other." Lane's habits have been an inspiration to her fellow students at Cheyney. 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