By Jennifer Ragusa
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Shortly after the election of Donald Trump as president in 2016, Maryland Del. Brooke Lierman, D-Baltimore, sent out a mass email to supporters asking them to help her “figure out something.”
The result: An estimated 150 women got together and created the Baltimore Women United, a coalition of female volunteers working to close the political gender gap, improve political outcomes for women of diverse backgrounds, and increase voter turnout among women.
Odette Ramos, the co-chairwoman of the group, said one of the first things that came out of the first meeting on Jan.8, 2017, was that there were a lot of women who had never been involved in politics before.
“They might vote, they may be active in the community, but they weren’t really change makers,” Ramos said. “They wanted to be change makers and it was really inspiring to hear.”
Denise Gilmore, the other co-chair, said that the Trump election motivated her to be more active in a Baltimore-based organization.
“Baltimore Women United specifically was really the first organized effort that I came across after the Trump election that seemed like a productive way to push back and figure out what to do,” Gilmore said.
According to Ramos, Baltimore Women United has been activating women as voters, constituents, donors and candidates.
“The voting and constituents part is making people aware of the issues and really acting on those issues and on the candidate side, trying to get more women to run for office and supporting those women with donations,” Ramos said.
The Baltimore Women United holds its big meetings on the 8th of every month, in relation to Nov.8, 2016, when Trump was elected. Gilmore said that the most turnouts and gaining new volunteers have been through Baltimore Women United’s digital medium, including a discussion and organizational Facebook page.
“It’s been a great place to get the word out and have great discussions around issues that women care about here in Baltimore,” Gilmore said.
Women make up about 53 percent of Baltimore’s population but only 20 percent of the City Council. In Maryland, women make up 35 percent of the House of Delegates and 23 percent of the Senate.
Gilmore said that it is all about representation.
“There are so many issues that are specific to us, that are exclusive to us, that if we don’t get the right people in the room to discuss those issues, we’re obviously not going to get what we want out of the political process,” Gilmore said.
Ramos said that Baltimore Women United had helped community advocate Del. Melissa Wells of District 40. Wells has been a member from the very beginning. She went from just attending meetings and canvassing, to running for office.
“The biggest benefit is having a voice that represents women,” Wells said. “It’s the support also, having the support network on various issues that arise and definitely during the election.”
Gilmore said that it was refreshing to be able to have an outlet like the Baltimore Women United and to be around strong, intelligent women who are passionate about the same issues she is. More importantly, she said these women are willing to do something to improve their communities.
“Activism is almost like therapy to me,” Gilmore said. “Being able to know that there is this group that is going to not only let me harness that energy, but also be supportive of who I am and my beliefs and values – it’s been really special.”