Without a doubt, the re-election of Donald Trump has sent a loud and clear message: Politics is still a man’s game. This is a message that we at IGNITE refute and have centered our mission around dismantling. Our work centers on breaking barriers and helping young women navigate a system that too often regards them as exceptions rather than the norm. We had hoped that, this election, women and girls everywhere could see for themselves that they have access to the highest office. The missed opportunity is disheartening, but we will nevertheless continue to do the hard work of promoting a vision for our political system that values women and their leadership.
We understand that it has been an exhausting, long election year, and that many of our community members gave everything they could. But our work does not end here. Across all levels of government, young women have a critical role to play. Their perspectives and leadership are essential in driving progress, demanding accountability, strengthening our democratic systems, and fostering a political climate that truly represents the diverse fabric of America.
We are proud of the young women who ran for office this year and those who staffed their campaigns. Their hard work cannot be dismissed, especially at this moment. Beyond the candidates, we are also proud of our IGNITE the Vote ambassadors, IGNITE college chapters, our fellows, staff members and partners at large who worked tirelessly this year to ensure young people have a voice at the ballot box. We know the impact of this work will carry well beyond this election.
Yes, there are tremendous challenges ahead. Changing systems and opening new doors does not happen easily. Democracy is messy and chaotic and hard, but together, we will make things better and continue to work to hold our leaders accountable to our values. Our work is not dependent on a single election’s outcome. This is a long game. So we are here, our sleeves remain rolled up, and we’re going to continue on our mission.