10 Black Women Who Have Helped Shape U.S. Foreign Policy

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Throughout history, Black women have played a crucial yet often overlooked role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. With their hard work and determination, their contributions extend beyond traditional diplomatic spheres, influencing international relations, immigration, global security, and humanitarian efforts. 

As leaders, protectors and visionaries, Black women in diplomacy have undoubtedly paved the way for future generations to build the future of America they hope to see.  They have long been at the intersection of race, gender, and politics, often facing systemic barriers in both domestic and international arenas. From the suffragette movement to the civil rights movement, Black women have fought not only for their rights but for a more just and equitable society. This struggle laid the groundwork for their later involvement in foreign policy.

Patricia Roberts Harris was one of the first to break barriers in foreign policy.

Patricia Roberts Harris is a trailblazer in the realm of foreign policy and a significant figure in American history. She made history as the first Black woman to serve as a U.S. ambassador, representing the United States in Luxembourg after being appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, according to the National Museum of American Diplomacy. Additionally, she served as an alternate delegate to the 21st and 22nd United Nations General Assemblies.

Under President Jimmy Carter, Harris broke further barriers by becoming the first Black woman to hold a Cabinet position as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. This landmark appointment also made her the first Black woman in the line of succession to the presidency, as noted by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. Throughout her career, Harris demonstrated a steadfast commitment to social justice and advocacy for the Black community, both domestically and internationally. 

“I feel deeply proud and grateful this President chose me to knock down this barrier, but also a little sad about being the ‘first Negro woman’ because it implies we were not considered before,” Harris said after she was sworn in by former President Johnson in 1965. 

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Barbara Jordan

As chair of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform from 1994 to 1996, Barbara Jordan championed stricter immigration policies and advocated for harsher penalties for employers who violated immigration laws. As the first Black woman elected to Congress from the South, she was a powerful voice for civil rights and social justice. Although her legislative focus was primarily domestic, her compelling speeches and moral authority also influenced U.S. foreign policy.

Under her leadership, the commission conducted a comprehensive, bipartisan review of U.S. immigration policy, culminating in what is informally known as the Jordan Commission report, FairUs.org notes. In this influential document, she challenged prevailing notions of illegal immigration that persist today. “For immigration to continue to serve our national interest, it must be lawful,” she asserted. “While some may argue that illegal aliens contribute to our communities through work and tax payments, let me be clear: that is not enough.”

Jordan viewed Americanization as a process of integration in which immigrants become part of the American community by creating legal work opportunities for themselves and their families. She coordinated strategies with foreign governments to address the root causes of illegal immigration in sending countries, advocating for a dual approach that welcomed immigrants while promoting integration. This process, she believed, should occur in parallel with the support of existing citizens and serve as a unifying force in society. While Jordan acknowledged that immigrants bring their own cultures, she emphasized the importance of respecting and protecting the rule of law upon which the United States was founded. 

Jordan provided her recommendations directly to former President Bill Clinton, proposing a strategic plan aimed at addressing immigration issues that would safeguard American lives, benefit U.S. citizens, and enhance opportunities for legal immigrants and vulnerable populations.

Here are a few more Black women who have left an indelible mark on the world of foreign policy.

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