Roundtable will discuss power of Black women ahead of primary election

With the Pennsylvania primary election less than a week away, Sisters Saving Ourselves Now and The Pittsburgh-Western PA Black Women’s Roundtable aim to bring awareness to voting rights.

The focus is on voter turnout and the power of Black women. The roundtable, which begins at 10 a.m. Friday at Freedom Corner in the Hill District, will feature Rev. Dr. Judith Moore, CEO of Sisters Saving Ourselves Now and The Pittsburgh-Western PA Black Women’s Roundtable, and Melanie Campbell, president/CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.

“We are trying to put a strategy together with actionable steps to get out to vote as a collective body so that we will have a greater impact,” Moore said.

Sisters Saving Ourselves Now is a non-profit organization that began in 2012, focusing on women and girls. Some of their activities include self-development workshops addressing the needs of Black women in their communities.

“We look at affordable housing, healthcare concerns, economic equity and civic engagement symposiums,” Moore said, much like what will take place on Friday.

The theme is “Power of the Ballot: We Will Not Be Erased.” It is not just centered around the Pa. Primary election on April 23, but also the general election in November.

“If we work together, we can make a difference, especially in underserved communities,” Moore said. “We can make a change in the communities we live in by going to the ballot.”

The Pittsburgh-Western PA Black Women’s Roundtable is the local sector of the Black Women’s Roundtable, which is part of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.

Friday’s event is part of the Unity 24 Power of the Ballot National Campaign tour. Following the rally in the morning, there will be a PA Power of the Ballot Bus Tour through the North Side and later, a Sista’ Fireside Chat in Swissvale.

“Black women shape elections,” Campbell said. “We turn out to vote at higher rates than any other demographic group, and our collective voice has the power to sway elections and influence policy decisions on issues that directly impact Black, brown and underrepresented communities.”

“We are able to do this because our experiences are intersectional, covering race, gender and socioeconomic factors. So when we have a seat at the table, a diverse range of voices are both heard and represented. Our engagement and advocacy are essential for building a more equitable and inclusive society for everyone,” Campbell said.