In a groundbreaking virtual event on Thursday, more than 160,000 white women participated in a Zoom call to mobilize support for Kamala Harris, potentially setting a world record as the largest Zoom meeting in history. The event, titled “White Women: Answer the Call,” follows a successful similar initiative targeting Black women earlier in the week. Organized by prominent gun control activist Shannon Watts, the call raised nearly $2 million for Harris’s presidential campaign in less than two hours.
Campaign Momentum and Historical Context
The Zoom call comes in the wake of President Joe Biden’s announcement last Sunday that he would step aside from his re-election campaign, paving the way for Harris to potentially become the first female president of the United States. Harris, who would also be the first Black woman and South Asian woman to head a major party’s presidential ticket, has seen a surge in campaign activity following Biden’s decision.
The mobilization efforts have highlighted the crucial role white women voters play in this election. Exit polls from 2016 and 2020 show that a majority of white women voted for Donald Trump, a factor contributing to his electoral victories. In contrast, Black, Latinx, and Asian women have historically supported Democratic candidates.
Inspiration and Impact
The Thursday call was inspired by a similar event held earlier this week by Win With Black Women, a group founded by strategist Jotaka Eaddy. That event drew 44,000 participants and raised over $1.5 million for Harris’s campaign. Other related calls, including one for Black men, have further supported Harris’s candidacy, raising significant funds from diverse groups.
Speakers at Thursday’s event included actor Connie Britton, former US soccer star Megan Rapinoe, US Representative Lizzie Fletcher, and musician Pink. Watts, who organized the event, emphasized the importance of shifting voting patterns and addressing complex factors such as privilege, systemic racism, and sexism that influence voting behavior among white women.
Watts has expressed hope that this mobilization will create a significant shift in voting momentum, contributing to Harris’s potential victory in the upcoming election. “If we start doing the work right now, we can create a shift in voting momentum that will help Black women elect Vice-President Harris as president in just 100 days,” Watts stated.