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Val Demings on Civil Rights |
Demings believes her experiences allow her to see many sides of the debate over the future of policing in America. She grew up in Jacksonville where she recalled being called the N-word as a four-year-old girl. She attended segregated schools. She was a social worker before joining the Orlando Police Department at age 26. After graduating from the police academy, she walked the streets of the city's Black neighborhoods on patrol as she rose up the ranks. She was named police chief in 2007, the first Black female to hold the job.
The Feminist Majority endorses candidates for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. In addition to the stronger "endorsement," the organization also determines "preferred" candidates in races where they do not endorse. Their mission statement:
"Our mission is to empower feminists, who are the majority, and to win equality for women at the decision-making tables of the state, nation, and the world. The Feminist Majority promotes non-discrimination on the basis of sex, race, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, religion, ethnicity, age, marital status, nation of origin, size or disability. The purpose of Feminist Majority is to promote equality for women and men, non-violence, reproductive health, peace, social justice and economic development and to enhance feminist participation in public policy. Feminist Majority supports workers’ collective bargaining, pay equity, and end of sweatshops. We encourage programs directed at the preservation of the environment."