In this month’s Essence Magazine, there are over 15 African American women, who hold powerful positions in the White House. It is extremely exhilarating too see so many women of color in such high profile positions. Our women have let the men do the talking, while the sisters were quietly preparing themselves to be the top in their field.
Obama promised change and no one knew that he would pick such a diverse and compelling group of women to lead his administration. These women are educated, talented, and have excelled in their previous positions. They have credibility and integrity and their knowledge is breaking down the “old boy” system.
Many of these women have worked together in the Bill Clinton administration, and it appears that many of these powerful women are quietly getting the job done. Valerie Jarrett was the co-chair of Obama’s transition team and was the brain behind putting this phenomenal group of women together. There is plenty of beautiful color and femininity now in the White House and Obama is definitely making a change.
The public does not see many of these women, but the shakers and makers in Washington understand that the game is being played by a different set of rules. Obama has opened the door and these capable sisters are walking through it. With this crop of beauties, no one can say that the president is afraid of powerful Black women.
When you make an appointment with the White House the Social Secretary is Desiree Rogers, a black woman. The House Domestic Policy Director is Melody Barnes and the White House Deputy Chief of Staff is Mona Sutphen. Mona Stuphen has been an advocate for loosening the Cuban embargo. Her ideas became law recently, when less restrictive travel and trade rules were passed by the Congress. These women are setting policy and the world is watching.
Cassandra Butts is the Deputy White House Counsel and the United Nations Ambassador is Susan Rice. Lisa Jackson is the first Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Alana Beverly is the Assistant Director of Urban Affairs. Cecila E. Rouse is a member of Economic Advisor Board and they assist the government with economic policy.
Karen Richardson is an Assistant Director, Office of Public Engagement, and Elizabeth Wilkins is a Policy Assistant of Domestic Policy Council. Whenever the First Lady needs some assistance, she has Dana Lewis a sister as a special Assistant and Personal Aid to the First Lady.
It is obvious that the sisters are taking over, and Obama is setting a new model that will set in motion a new set of positive role models for our children. The glass ceiling is being shattered and the younger women scholars know that there are no limits. There is nothing holding these sisters back and no reason they cannot achieve what they believe is possible.
These sisters are the policy makers in the White House, and it appears they are having fun engaging the world and being beautiful. Change is here and many times, it is done behind closed doors where the power brokers influence the country and the world. Our women are smart and they deserve their positions of authority and power.
These sisters are taking care of business and a change has come to the White House. Maybe we should change the name of the White House to the “Rainbow House” as a testimony of the beautiful colors of the rainbow that our women bring to the table.
