PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The leader and founder of a local nonpartisan nonprofit, which has trained hundreds of women of color to run for political office, is stepping down.
Eight years ago, political leadership in the commonwealth looked a lot different. Jasmine Sessoms took notice.
"I was like, 'Why aren't there a lot of Black and brown women elected?' and people were like, first of all, it's hard to raise money," said Sessoms. "It's like an old boys club. And it's just challenging. It's like, the super secret club that nobody knows the rules to."
Sessoms started the nonprofit She Can Win out of her basement, training and recruiting women of color to run for office. Nearly a decade later, She Can Win has helped diversify local and state politics.
"There is nothing like looking at the new class of state reps and knowing that a lot of them went through our training," said Sessoms, "or that we've invested in, I think, just about every Black woman except for one in our state house, certainly in our City Council, we have invested in or trained."
However, Sessoms says it's time to hand over the organization. She plans to turn the reins over to three women who have been involved with the organization for several years — Nyla Ford, Dominique Miller and LaDeshia Maxwell.
"They've been board members, they've been volunteers. They know the organization. They know how it's supposed to run, and they're really prolific ladies," she said of her successors.
"I think eight years is long enough to lead an organization, grow organization, make sure that it's fiscally healthy, which is most important, especially for Black women-led organizations."
Sessoms said she will remain in the region and involved in politics, and looks forward to finding another gap to help close. Her last official day is at the end of this month following their annual Shirley Chisolm brunch.
"Every time I go into a Council session, or if I get up to Harrisburg, and I see my ladies in action, it gives me goosebumps, because I know that we play a part in their success," she shared. "That is something I'm most proud of. I'm proud of training 955 women to run for office."
