Honoring Black History Month

By Vivian Childs

I am honored, as NFRW Diversity Committee Chair, to share my thoughts during Black History Month. This is an opportunity to share our rich history as Blacks, as women, and as Republicans, and an opportunity to remember that the Republican Party made it possible for Black participation in the political arena by opening its arms to all people, not just a select few, most notably in the South.

Without this celebration of Black history, we may not have known the accomplishments that were achieved, due in part to the Party of Frederick Douglass, the first Black Congressmen, and the first Black U.S. Senator. Do we have problems? Of course we do. However, it is these difficulties that strengthen my dedication to seeking fairness and justice for all.

The National Federation of Republican Women is championing a methodology of engagement and embracing women based on character and not skin tone, and this is encouraging and a step in the right direction. My prayer is to encourage, through love, insight into what is still offered and to strive to educate and motivate through truth, partnership and accessibility. We must take this opportunity to mobilize, not criticize; love, not hate; build, not tear down; talk, not argue.

Using the brushes of unity and sisterhood, we will embrace our differences to cultivate a kaleidoscope through partnership, activism and leadership. We will combine our many races, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds to speak with one aligned voice that will propel us into the forefront of tomorrow’s challenges.

A native of Georgia, Vivian Childs is Chair of the NFRW Diversity Committee for 2020-21. She is the Diversity Grassroots Liaison Director of the National Diversity Coalition for Trump.

- 30 -