Black Women Running: EMILY's List Says These Candidates Deserve Your Vote

Super PAC gives much needed support to several candidates.

Making Dough Rise - Since 1985, EMILY's List has had one goal: raising money to help in electing women "who can make significant contributions to education, health care, voting rights, and economic equality." In addition, the organization also allocates considerable resources to training and cultivating women leaders. In addition to supporting the obvious choices among African-American female candidates, from California Attorney General Kamala Harris to Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner, EMILY's List has lent its invaluable helping hand to lesser-known rising stars like those you'll meet here. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)  (Photos from left: Courtesy of Brenda Lawrence, Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic, Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

1 / 9

Making Dough Rise - Since 1985, EMILY's List has had one goal: raising money to help in electing women "who can make significant contributions to education, health care, voting rights, and economic equality." In addition, the organization also allocates considerable resources to training and cultivating women leaders. In addition to supporting the obvious choices among African-American female candidates, from California Attorney General Kamala Harris to Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner, EMILY's List has lent its invaluable helping hand to lesser-known rising stars like those you'll meet here. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photos from left: Courtesy of Brenda Lawrence, Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic, Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Alma Adams for Congress (North Carolina) - Heads up, Frederica Wilson – some new millinery is coming to town. Alma Adams, who currently serves in the North Carolina House of Representatives, will more than likely win her bid to fill the seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. Mel Watt when he left Congress to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency. She won 40 percent of the vote in a seven-person primary and is expected to coast to victory on Nov. 4.    (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

2 / 9

Alma Adams - North Carolina state Rep. Alma Adams handily won the Democratic primary to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Mel Watts, who now heads the Federal Housing Finance Agency. EMILY's List predicts she will win again in November. And, because it's a special election, Adams will be sworn in soon after, making her the 100th woman concurrently serving in Congress.  (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Brenda Lawrence for Congress (Michigan) - The votes aren't yet counted, but Southfield, Michigan Mayor Brenda Lawrence is considered a shoe-in to represent her state in Congress. She has received endorsements from the state's top unions and trade groups, Emily's List and the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.  (Photo: Courtesy of Brenda Lawrence)

3 / 9

Brenda Lawrence - According to EMILY's List, Brenda Lawrence, mayor of Southfield, Michigan, is a frontrunner in the crowded race to represent the state's 14th congressional district. One of her competitors is former Rep. Hansen Clarke, whose fate in 2010 was largely dictated by redistricting. This is Lawrence's second bid for Congress. She lost in 2012 to incumbent Rep. Gary Peters, who is running for a seat in the U.S. Congress.  (Photo: Courtesy of Brenda Lawrence)

Muriel Bowser for Mayor (Washington, D.C.) - In an overwhelmingly Democratic city, council member Muriel Bowser is widely expected to become the next mayor of the nation's capital. She made national headlines earlier this year when she knocked incumbent Mayor Vincent Gray out of the race.   (Photo: Cliff Owen/AP Photo)

4 / 9

Muriel Bowser - Although nobody was as stunned as D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray when city council member Muriel Bowser won the capitol's Democratic mayoral primary race in April, most people were likely pretty impressed. If elected, she will join Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake to become one of just two Black women leading a major American city.  (Photo: AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Carol Ammons - Carol Ammons, currently a member of the Urbana City Council, hopes to move on up to become a representative in the Illinois state legislature. She won her May primary with 56.91 percent of the vote and the strong support of such groups as the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Service Employees International Union.   (Photo: Carol Ammons via Twitter)

5 / 9

Carol Ammons - Carol Ammons, currently a member of the Urbana City Council, hopes to move on up to become a representative in the Illinois state legislature. She won her May primary with 56.91 percent of the vote and the strong support of such groups as the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Service Employees International Union.  (Photo: Carol Ammons via Twitter)

ADVERTISEMENT
Geraldine Thompson - Florida State Sen. Geraldine Thompson is running for re-election. She is a former state representative and is the Florida director of Women Legislative Leaders and a vocal advocate for the rights of women, children, minorities and the disadvantaged and improving and expanding educational opportunities for minorities.  (Photo: Courtesy of Geraldine Thompson)

6 / 9

Geraldine Thompson - Florida State Sen. Geraldine Thompson is running for re-election. She is a former state representative and is the Florida director of Women Legislative Leaders and a vocal advocate for the rights of women, children, minorities and the disadvantaged and improving and expanding educational opportunities for minorities.  (Photo: Courtesy of Geraldine Thompson)

Rhonda Fields - Colorado state Rep. Rhonda Fields won her first term in 2010 with 61 percent of the vote. During her first term, she sponsored 16 bills that became law. EMILY's List has even higher hopes for her second.   (Photo: RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

7 / 9

Rhonda Fields - Colorado state Rep. Rhonda Fields won her first term in 2010 with 61 percent of the vote. During her first term, she sponsored 16 bills that became law. EMILY's List has even higher hopes for her second.  (Photo: RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Naquetta Ricks - Naquetta Ricks is running for a seat on the University of Colorado Board of Regents to ensure "that every Colorado child has access to an affordable college education" in the state. She is the treasurer of the African-American Initiative of the Colorado Democratic Party.   (Photo: Courtesy of Naquetta Ricks)

8 / 9

Naquetta Ricks - Naquetta Ricks is running for a seat on the University of Colorado Board of Regents to ensure "that every Colorado child has access to an affordable college education" in the state. She is the treasurer of the African-American Initiative of the Colorado Democratic Party.  (Photo: Courtesy of Naquetta Ricks)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of Naquetta Ricks

Erika Geiss - Erika Geiss is a candidate for Michigan House District 12. She is a freelance editor and writer and heads a home-based business, Red Pencil Editing Services. If elected, she plans to tackle education, jobs and the economy and health-related issues.  (Photo: Courtesy of Erika Geiss)

9 / 9

Erika Geiss - Erika Geiss is a candidate for Michigan House District 12. She is a freelance editor and writer and heads a home-based business, Red Pencil Editing Services. If elected, she plans to tackle education, jobs and the economy and health-related issues.  (Photo: Courtesy of Erika Geiss)