Sisters,

Life as a woman of color in this country is hard. Full stop. We don’t need to be reminded, yet too many people still refuse to accept that reality. They say we are given too many opportunities. They call policies that try, in even a small way, to level the playing field and ensure fair access to opportunity and the benefits of our labor illegal, even immoral.

It grates my cheese to think that anyone could believe we are anything other than intelligent, resourceful, creative, strategic, resilient, visionary, and capable. Our lived expertise, academic credentials, work experience, and God-given gifts are enough. We should not have to prove our worth against someone else’s rigged measure of the value of our efforts.

Why am I saying this today? Because tomorrow, we have an opportunity to elect people who SEE us and will work with us to create policies that support our efforts. The choices are clear. Don’t let negative advertisements convince you that we deserve anything less than the rights and protections guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.

Voting tomorrow is the first step in your engagement strategy. It is one way to be a good steward of the power you hold as a leader and a voter. I know some sisters are cynical and wonder whether voting will matter. But if our votes didn’t matter, why would anyone work so hard to make voting more difficult?

Traversing roadblocks is one of our superpowers. We are extraordinarily good at it. And when a problem comes up, we can help one another get through it:

• If you voted by mail: Use Common Cause’s Track My Ballot tool to find your state’s ballot tracker. Follow your state’s instructions. If the status is unclear or something doesn’t look right, contact your local election office or call Election Protection.
• If you plan to vote in person: Visit WE CAN’s VOTE411 page to check your registration, find your polling place, review your ballot, and get voting information. Confirm your polling place and hours with your local election office before you leave.
• If you encounter a problem at the polls: If your name isn’t on the list, ask a poll worker to check your registration or polling location. If the issue isn’t resolved, ask about your options, including a provisional ballot where available, and call Election Protection. Rules vary by state.
• If you face intimidation or need language or disability assistance: Review the ACLU’s voting rights guide and the Brennan Center’s Vote Safely in 2026 guide. You can also call Election Protection for help.

Save these nonpartisan Election Protection hotlines and share them with someone who may need them:

• English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
• Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
• Asian languages, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, and Tagalog: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
• Arabic: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)

Tomorrow, let’s show what we already know: we are a solid, connected, focused, and formidable voting bloc that can no longer be ignored by anyone seeking elected office. Check your ballot. Make your plan. Save the hotline number. Help someone else make their voice heard.

As my Big Mama would have said: Get your behind to the polls!

In solidarity,

Dr. Stephanie, WE CAN Founder