ACTIVIST LEADERS TAKE THE POLITICAL STAGE
IN 2024 , THREE V-DAY / ONE BILLION RISING ACTIVISTS WERE ELECTED TO POLITICAL OFFICE .
AGNES PAREYIO was elected member of Kenyan Parliament , making history as first woman MP from Narok . In The Nation newspaper , Agnes “ said her victory was a huge win to the girl child in pastoral communities as it would enable them to break the ceiling in pursuit of their dreams . ‘ My vying for this position was to encourage all women to rise up and fight for their rights . Women should fight to be on the decision-making table .’ The new legislator in town told girls in pastoral communities to go for what they want in life , saying no job is reserved for a particular gender . Her first assignment , she said , is to ensure education for girls across her vast constituency . ‘ I will ensure that girls and all children get decent classrooms to study and pursue their dreams .’”
CÉLIA XAKRIABÁ AND SÔNIA GUAJAJARA OF ANMIGA were elected to the Brazilian National Congress . Their election marked a new moment in Brazilian politics with greater representation of Indigenous peoples and the possibility of establishing new milestones for the culture of formulation of policies that dictate the course of the country . Célia and Sônia are Indigenous women of ANMIGA – The National Articulation of Indigenous Women Ancestrality Warriors ( who come from all biomes across Brazil ). They have deep knowledge about their lands and have preserved their ancestral traditions . They are united in their struggle to guarantee the rights and lives of the indigenous people of the Amazon . This is a monumental win , bringing women to the forefront of the fight against anti-Indigenous politics in Brazil . “ THE FUTURE IS INDIGENOUS !” - ANMIGA
LINDSEY HORVATH was elected to LA County Supervisor in November . Lindsey has been a V-Day activist since she was a student organizer producing The Vagina Monologues at Notre Dame , working to end violence against women and girls , often in the face of much resistance . Since then she has served on the West Hollywood City Council and as Mayor of West Hollywood . Lindsey led the City ’ s response to the COVID-19 pandemic , cutting red tape to help businesses expand outdoor operations , providing rental relief to prevent homelessness , and activating partnerships with community-based organizations like Project Angel Food to deliver medically-tailored meals to the homes of people affected by life-threatening illnesses . Simultaneously , she created safe spaces for protest and progress in the wake of the murder of George Floyd .
In their endorsement of her in June , the Los Angeles Times said , “ Horvath has helped make her small city a laboratory for ideas and programs that promote opportunity , equity and justice for its residents , and she could do the same for the 2 million people who live in the redrawn 3rd District , and the more than 10 million countywide .”
With nearly two million residents , the LA County Board of Supervisors Third District has a population larger than 14 states and Washington DC .