Why Women's Votes Are More Crucial Than Ever: A Discussion with Activists Hosted by ELLE
More than half of the world’s population is poised to participate in elections this year, according to Vital Voices, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering female leaders around the globe. This raises an important question: what does this global referendum on democracy signify for women? To delve into this topic, ELLE, in collaboration with Argent and the nonpartisan voting rights group When We All Vote, convened on October 17 at the Vital Voices headquarters in Washington, D.C., for an enlightening panel discussion entitled “Your Voice is Your Vote.”
The atmosphere was infused with a visual reminder of the importance of voting, as attendees donned the iconic pink Argent suit, a favorite among political figures, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. This event was part of Argent’s #VotingSuitsYou initiative, which aims to mobilize voters through various outreach efforts. Throughout October and leading up to Election Day on November 5, the women’s clothing brand has partnered with When We All Vote to amplify voter engagement. They have enlisted a host of celebrities, activists, and athletes to wear a new gender-neutral version of the suit while sharing messages about the significance of casting a vote on social media. Additionally, Argent has transformed its Washington, D.C., and New York City store locations into vibrant pink pop-up spaces, offering consumers valuable toolkits filled with voter information. A portion of the sales from the #VotingSuitsYou collection will support When We All Vote.
During the panel discussion, moderated by ELLE’s executive editor, Sara Austin, the conversation began with a fundamental question: why do so few Americans participate in elections?
Symone Sanders-Townsend, a prominent political consultant and co-host of MSNBC’s “The Weekend,” shared insights from her extensive interviews with Black women across the nation. Many younger individuals, particularly millennials, expressed feelings of disenfranchisement, believing that their votes carry little weight. Each election cycle is heralded as “the most important election of our lifetime,” yet the tangible results often seem elusive, leading to disillusionment among voters.
Moreover, young people worldwide are increasingly drawn to authoritarian ideologies. “We’re not having a theoretical conversation about potentially losing democracies around the world,” Sanders-Townsend emphasized. “It has already happened. People have had their rights stripped away, and we have witnessed the emergence of democracies in our recent history. It’s an ongoing experiment. That’s why these conversations are so vital; reminding individuals of their inherent power is crucial.” She noted that the strength of a democracy and its economy is often measured by how well women and children are treated within that society.
Brittany Packnett Cunningham, an activist and founder of the social impact agency Love & Power Works, echoed these sentiments, noting that it’s understandable for individuals to feel disillusioned given the pervasive distrust in government institutions. However, she countered, “If your vote truly didn’t matter, then there wouldn’t be so many individuals investing millions of dollars to spread misinformation and work tirelessly to ensure that you don’t show up at the polls.” Cunningham highlighted the futility of viewing non-participation as a political statement, asserting, “Everything in our lives changes because we actively make those changes. The idea that one can simply sit back and wish for change without participating has never been an effective strategy in the history of humanity.”
Olivia Julianna, a political influencer and activist based in Houston, emphasized the power of conversations in encouraging hesitant voters to engage. “I will talk to anyone about politics,” Julianna declared, leveraging her one million followers on platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. “The reality is that most individuals just want someone to invite them to be a part of the process. Even if you think a conversation might be uncomfortable, asking someone to get involved can make a difference. You can help them navigate the complexities of the voting process, especially in states like Texas, where it can be incredibly challenging to figure things out.”
The evening concluded on an uplifting note, with each panelist sharing their thoughts. Julianna, who is 21 years old, expressed her excitement about voting for the first time for both a president and a senator, thrilled to have candidates she genuinely believes in. Cunningham drew inspiration from her great-grandmother, Joanna, who was born into slavery and lived to the age of 98, raising all 24 of her children instead of allowing them to be sold off during enslavement. “I find joy in knowing that individuals like Joanna and countless nameless ancestors have achieved so much with so little,” Cunningham reflected. “They didn’t just fight to preserve democracy; they actively created it and nurtured it with love, even when they were denied participation in it.”
Sanders-Townsend shared her optimism about the sheer number of people willing to engage in the political process, noting how they often arrive at political rallies hours early in anticipation of candidates. “Those who show up for rallies, regardless of the candidate, are there because they believe that this individual can make a difference in their lives,” she explained.
“I truly believe that the people possess the power,” Sanders-Townsend continued passionately. “The greatest deception is that individuals have been convinced that they lack agency. People are organizing in states like Texas, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Even in the face of adversity, such as hurricanes destroying homes, people are asking, ‘How can I ensure my ballot reaches the ballot box?’ This resilience excites me about the American experiment. Yes, perhaps I was moved to tears recently thinking about this because it is a privilege that countless individuals around the globe do not have.”
