This column is part of HuffPost’s “She the People” series, stories by Black women exploring Kamala Harris’ historic candidacy. To read more, visit our hub.

As the president and CEO of Higher Heights for America, an organization that brings together powerful Black women in politics, Kamala Harris’ presidential candidacy is not only a historic moment

it’s the culmination of decades of grassroots work. It’s the realization of dreams that stretch back to Shirley Chisholm’s groundbreaking run in 1972.

This moment is about more than symbolism. It’s about power, representation and the future of American democracy. As soon as the news became clear that she was likely the Democratic presidential nominee, I wanted to ask the many women in our coalition — from Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, to Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action — how they felt about this momentous occasion. Here are their responses:

DeNora Getachew, board chair of Higher Heights for America, emphasized the historical significance: “Black women have always been the backbone of our democracy, pushing for the wants and needs of our society and humanity. This moment feels validating as a recognition of our role and impact, and it feels incredibly fraught that we will have to ‘openly’ carry the weight of democracy on our shoulders.”

This candidacy doesn’t just break the ultimate glass ceiling — it redefines what leadership looks like in America. Dr. Khalilah L. Brown-Dean, Wesleyan University Professor, put it powerfully: “This is a moment to make real the promises of democracy by advocating for protections of voting rights, reproductive autonomy, economic security and access to education.”

Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said Harris “brings the experience needed to meet this moment but also breaks barriers” in regard to her presidential candidacy.

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This moment is also a testament to the power of representation. Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, emphasized, “As the first Black woman and first South Asian American poised to become president, VP Harris not only brings the experience needed to meet this moment but also breaks barriers, inspiring generations to come and reflecting the true diversity of our nation.”

Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action, added to this sentiment: “This is not just about making history with the first Black woman president of the United States. This is about choosing the future we deserve — and that future is one where we live free from the threat of gun violence. Our gun violence crisis impacts everyone, but it disproportionately devastates Black and brown communities. Vice President Harris understands this intersection and has been a vocal champion for holistic gun safety solutions throughout her public service career.”

Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, said Harris “is the right person to beat Donald Trump, and she will inspire the next generation of leaders while doing it.”

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For many, this candidacy resonates on a deeply personal level. Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, shared, “When I sat my kids down on Sunday night to give them this news, I was overwhelmed, excited and — dare I say — hopeful. Kamala Harris is the right person to beat Donald Trump, and she will inspire the next generation of leaders while doing it.”

A’shanti F. Gholar, president of Emerge, reflected on the personal impact of Harris’ candidacy: “As a young Black girl growing up in Nevada, one who preferred to watch C-SPAN over ‘Sesame Street,’ I didn’t see people who looked like me in politics — which is why I am so honored to support Kamala Harris. She fights for people like me — people like us. Her presidency wouldn’t just mean four more years of fighting for the everyday American. It would mean a lifetime of young Black girls and women knowing that the highest office in the land is within their reach.”

April Verrett, international president of the Service Employees International Union, said Harris’ candidacy “shows that there’s nothing out of reach when it comes to fighting for the world that we believe in.”

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April Verrett, international president of the Service Employees International Union, said she sees Harris’ run as part of a broader movement: “Regardless of how proud I am that VP Harris and I will be the first Black women leaders in our roles, the real flex will be making sure we aren’t the last. Kamala Harris’ candidacy shows that there’s nothing out of reach when it comes to fighting for the world that we believe in.”

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, highlighted Harris’ commitment to reproductive rights: “As a lawyer, an attorney general, a senator, a vice president and as a Black woman, Vice President Harris understands what’s ahead of us. She knows what it means for Black women to have less reproductive freedom in a country where we are more vulnerable to everything from maternal mortality to criminalization, and she fights like it.”

Adrianne Shropshire, executive director of BlackPAC and the affiliated nonpartisan Black Progressive Action Coalition, reflected on the historical context: “Over 50 years after the historic candidacy of congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, we are on the precipice of electing our first woman president — that she’s a Black woman makes this moment even more special. From her advocacy on voting rights and abortion rights to her commitment to supporting other Black women leaders, Vice President Kamala Harris continues to show that her leadership was meant for such a time as this.”

As we move forward, it’s crucial to remember that this moment is both a culmination and a beginning. For decades, we’ve been the determining factor in many races: 16 million of us are eligible to vote, and we turn out at higher rates than most other groups. Now, we have the opportunity to elect one of our own to the highest office in the land.

Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, speaks at a campaign rally at the Fiserv Forum on Aug. 20, 2024, in Milwaukee. On Thursday, she will formally accept her party’s presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images

But this isn’t just about one election. It’s about building lasting power and representation for Black women at every level of government. It’s about ensuring that our voices are heard, our issues are addressed and our leadership is recognized.

To my fellow Black women — this is our moment. Let’s seize it, not just for ourselves but for generations to come. Our work continues, our voices rise and our power grows. We were built for this.

As Shropshire concluded with a powerful message of hope and determination: “The energy and excitement demonstrated by the spontaneous mobilization of 44,000 Black women and over 50,000 Black men on Zoom calls is proof positive of the impact of our focus and determination. Investing in Black women is always a sure thing. Despite the enduring presence of misogyny and racism, I am motivated by the promise and possibility of a future where President Kamala Harris presides over a new era of equity and justice.”