Women running for office struggle to raise as much money as men, and Black, Indigenous and Women of Color (BIWOC) face even more barriers due to historical oppression, systemic racism, resulting in current pay inequities, lack of opportunities, and much more. This year-to-date, NWPC-WA has endorsed seven fantastic black women running for the Washington State Legislature and one fantastic black woman running for the Washington State Supreme Court. In support and recognition of the Black Lives Matter movement, please join us in making a direct political donation to one (or all) of NWPC-WA’s Endorsed Black Women Candidates.
Tanisha Harris |
Tanisha Harris was born & raised in Vancouver, Washington. Tanisha earned her Associate’s Degree and a Bachelor’s of Social Science with concentrations in Human Development, Psychology and Sociology from Clark College and Washington State University-Vancouver. Tanisha spent 10 years working for the Evergreen School District in the field of multicultural and diversity education. Tanisha now works as a CASA Program Specialist for the YWCA Clark County, where she advocates for children in the Dependency/Foster Care system and supervises CASA volunteers. Tanisha is the 17th LD Democrats State Committeewoman & Washington State Democrats Executive Board Member. Tanisha serves as a member of LICWAC (Local Indian Child Welfare Advisory Committee), Co-Chair of Evergreen Citizens for Schools, Member of the City of Vancouver Task Force for Council Representation, Member of the Clark College Presidential Search Advisory Committee and is a member of Clark County NAACP. DONATE TO TANISHA HARRIS |
Joy Stanford |
As a fresh face in politics, Joy Stanford is well-positioned to capitalize on national and local trends pushing for new representation and innovative ideas. Stanford is a Community Outreach Specialist for Shared Housing Services -- connecting people facing housing insecurity with real solutions and resources -- and a substitute teacher in the Peninsula School District. She is a champion for creating a diverse and equitable environment for all Washingtonians. As a woman of color from a working family, Stanford is dedicated to ensuring income equality and proper access to education for everyone in the 26th Legislative District and across the state. Her priorities include progressive healthcare, education, and transportation legislation to push the 26th district into the future. A fierce advocate and dedicated community member, Joy Stanford is ready to take your voices to Olympia and fight for our shared values. DONATE TO JOY STANFORD |
T'wina Nobles |
T’wina Nobles is the President and CEO of the Tacoma Urban League, an elected University Place School Board Director, and the Founder of Ladies First, an in-school program dedicated to empowering young women. With over 15 years of experience as an instructor, mentor, and community leader, T’wina is running for State Senate to expand upon her work advocating for equity and justice in our communities. Once elected, T’wina will use the tools of legislation to continue to fight for inclusive schools, non-discrimination, and equitable opportunities for women and girls. That said, T'wina is not waiting to be elected to be a champion for women. Under T'wina's leadership at the Tacoma Urban League, the TUL has added childbirth and doula services to its programming. In her service on the school board, T'wina has partnered with YWCA and Planned Parenthood to provide a curriculum on healthy relationships, consent, what choice regarding sexual health means, and how to access resources. DONATE TO T'WINA NOBLES |
Melanie Morgan |
Representative Melanie Morgan was a school board director for Franklin Pierce SD, a commissioner on the board of the Pierce County Housing Authority, a safe housing coordinator, member of Tacoma Affordable Housing Consortium, a board member for Community Healthcare, and a mortgage banker. She is a veteran and currently serves as the Vice-Chair of Housing, Community Development & Veterans, Capital Budget, Commerce & Gaming, and Rules committees, and is the Deputy Majority Floor Leader. She was also appointed by the Governor to serve on the Equity Task Force. She has led the way on equity issues and plans to continue these efforts as she runs for re-election. Representative Morgan knows the struggle of the people in her community because she has lived it. She has been homeless and a recipient of Section 8 housing and food stamps. She will continue to fight for those who have been marginalized by polices that were instituted to support those at the top. She is the voice of the 29th. DONATE TO MELANIE MORGAN |
Jamila Taylor |
DONATE TO JAMILA TAYLOR |
Kirsten Harris-Talley |
Kirsten Harris-Talley is a mother, educator, wife, and neighbor in the 37th Legislative District. She currently serves as the Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington where she leads over 35,000 members to take action and win on issues of reproductive freedom for women and their families in Washington State. Politically, she has worked to build the political power of women across Washington State for over a decade. In her capacity as Political and Program Director at Progress Alliance, she managed their granting portfolio which funded a variety of political organizations dedicated to the advancement of diverse political candidates including women. She also was a founding board member of SURGE Reproductive Justice and has helped pass several statewide laws advancing women's rights. Kirsten will continue to champion issues of equity, gender justice, and reproductive justice as State Representative for the 37th Legislative District. DONATE TO KIRSTEN HARRIS-TALLEY |
April Berg |
April Berg and her family have lived in the local community for over 20 years and currently live in the city of Mill Creek. Ms. Berg is a Director on the Everett School Board and a Planning Commissioner for the City of Mill Creek. She also serves as a Trustee of for the Seattle Children's Theatre and is a member of the Snohomish County Juvenile Justice Cultural Competency Committee. April Berg is a former member of the Edmonds School Board and served on the Everett School District Capital Bond Planning Committee. Ms. Berg is a former small business owner and a former program manager for a large aerospace company. As an African American woman, Ms. Berg will bring a perspective of inclusion to the legislature. She has worked collaboratively with many diverse groups, including communities of color, people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, first-generation college students and the LGBTQ+ community. DONATE TO APRIL BERG |
Debra Entenman |
Debra Entenman has dedicated her career to serving our South King County communities. She grew up in Rainier Vista, a low-income housing project in Seattle. Debra was fortunate to be surrounded by powerful women and a supportive community that motivated her to aspire for more. As a non-traditional college student and a mother of two, she first received a B.A. in Political Science from Seattle University and then went to Highline Community College years later. From watching her mother continue her education to become a teacher to having mentors who taught her about racial injustice, education has played a pivotal role in shaping the person that she is today as well as her politics. She analyzes every decision through the lens of a mother, women of color, and as a constituent of the district. She brings the experience necessary to ensure that all of our voices are heard in Olympia. Debra is very proud to have been endorsed by the National Women's Political Caucus. DONATE TO DEBRA ENTENMAN |
JUDICIAL POSITIONS | |
G. Helen Whitener |
Justice G. Helen Whitener is a former Pierce County Superior Court judge, Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals judge and Pro-tem judge in the Pierce County District Court and Tacoma Municipal Court. She is also a former prosecutor and defense attorney. Justice Whitener was the 2019 recipient of the WSBA’s C.Z. Smith Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award, the King County Washington Women Lawyers President Award and the Seattle University School of Law Woman of the Year Award. In 2018 she received the Pierce County Washington Women Lawyers Woman of the Year Award. Justice Whitener is the first Black woman to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court and is co-chair of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission. She is a member of the International Association of Women Judges, the National Association of Women Judges and is a judicial member of the Washington Women Lawyers Association. DONATE TO G. HELEN WHITENER |
Want to support our work? As an all-volunteer organization, we can't recruit, train, and elect women to all levels of office in Washington alone. All donations you make will go directly to our Women-Powered Campaign Fund, which is fueling women running in close races all across the state. Let's help them win in November! DONATE today!
Volunteers
The endorsement process requires a great deal of volunteer assistance. If you're interested in participating with an interview team or organizing one, your help would be appreciated. For more information, please email info[at]nwpcwa.org.