On Thursday, January 28 after the House session adjourned, many women legislators gathered at the south steps of the Capitol for a photo wearing all white, their pearls and Chuck Taylor shoes in commemoration of the historic election of Kamala Harris as this country’s first woman Vice President.
Rep. Dar’Shun Kendrick made the announcement to her colleagues at the end of Wednesday's House session. “Regardless of your political affiliation, I hope you will join me wearing your all-white tomorrow,” said Kendrick during her announcement, in hopes to bring all women together to celebrate the breaking of a glass ceiling.
Kendrick represents House District 93, is Chief Deputy Whip of the Minority Caucus, serves as the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Non-Civil committee and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
During Thursday’s House session, Kendrick read a brief biography of Kamala Harris and reminded her colleagues of what makes Harris’ inauguration so historic. Harris is the first woman vice president of African American and South Asian descent, but she is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
“I am proud to call Kamala Harris my soror because she exemplifies excellence of an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman,” wrote Rep. Carolyn Hugley on a Facebook post. “It’s not just about uplifting the sorority, it’s about lifting African American women.” Hugley also wore white and Chuck Taylors to commemorate Vice President Harris.
When it comes to the percentage of women in the legislature, Georgia is now ranked 18th in the country according to the Georgia WIN List and researched conducted by the Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers University. Many women that are a part of the legislature have been endorsed by the WIN List, including Kendrick.
After Thursday’s House session, Kendrick introduced House Bill 69, which would “remove qualified immunity from bad acting law enforcement officers and allow them to be sued in court for civil damages.” House Bill 69 will also have a substitute that will add a requirement for counties and cities maintain a certain liability insurance so that victims of bad acting law officers are able to recover the monetary damages they deserve in a court of law.
Kendrick's purpose behind House Bill 69 is to ensure Georgia’s justice system is treating everyone fairly and will not encroach on their right to life and liberty. House Bill 69 has gone through its second reading and is now set to be considered by the committee.
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