Part 1: Stacey Abrams Keynotes Annual Women Winning Event (with photos)

all photos by Sarah Whiting

 

Georgia’s Stacey Abrams gave a powerful speech at the WomenWinning fundraiser June 8, indicating that the faction of people who took power in January 2025 “want people to forget what democracy is supposed to do.”

She outlined the steps that White House loyalists have taken, as well as the steps for voters to take democracy back. She said one of the first steps of an authoritarian government is to go after anyone who is telling the truth and scapegoat the most vulnerable, putting anyone they don’t like under the DEI umbrella. “Diversity means all people. Equity means fair access to opportunity. Inclusion means respect for belonging.”

Attacking DEI raises questions: “Do you not believe all people should have the opportunity to reach their fullest capacity? Are you afraid of competition? Why does inclusion frighten you? DEI is not just about Black kids going to Harvard, which is what they would have you believe.”

Abrams said she has learned that “if you want to hold power, you share power. So we’re going to commit, share, organize, mobilize, litigate, disrupt, deny, engage, elect. … We get to be visionaries who see the future and hold people accountable. It is how we demand health care, child care, justice.”

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