Congratulations, Governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms
Congratulations, Governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms! On November 3, 2026, the people of Georgia elected you their next governor, the first Black woman elected governor of any state in our nation's history. The Siloam Presbyterian Church family rejoices with you, and we give thanks to God for the women whose courage opened the way: Mary McLeod Bethune, Fannie Lou Hamer, Constance Baker Motley, and our own neighbor Shirley Chisholm, who carried Bedford-Stuyvesant's voice to Congress. You have come to this office for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). We pray that God gives you wisdom, strength and a servant's heart as you lead all the people of Georgia.
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On Their Shoulders She Leads
A tribute to the Black women who paved the way, opened doors, challenged limits, and refused to be silent, so that today we celebrate Georgia’s first Black American woman governor.
Keisha Lance Bottoms Governor-Elect of Georgia First Black American woman elected governor in the United States.
Stacey Abrams Voting Rights Leader, Author, and Georgia Gubernatorial Nominee (2018, 2022) Expanded voter access and inspired a new generation of leaders.
Kamala Harris 49th Vice President of the United States (2021–2025) First woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American to serve as U.S. Vice President.
Shirley Chisholm U.S. Congresswoman (1969–1983) First Black woman elected to Congress and first Black woman to seek a major-party presidential nomination (1972).
Barbara Jordan U.S. Congresswoman (1973–1979) Trailblazing orator and constitutional leader who showed the nation the power of Black women’s leadership.
Carol Moseley Braun U.S. Senator from Illinois (1993–1999) First Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
Patricia Roberts Harris U.S. Cabinet Secretary (1977–1979) First Black woman to serve in a presidential Cabinet (Housing and Urban Development).
Constance Baker Motley Federal Judge (1966–1986) First Black woman to serve as a federal judge.
Fannie Lou Hamer Civil Rights Leader, Voting Rights Advocate Her courage, testimony, and relentless fight for voting rights helped lay the foundation for greater political representation.
Mary McLeod Bethune Educator, Activist, Advisor (1875–1955) Built institutions, opened opportunities, and championed the leadership and education of Black women and girls.
In Celebration of the Journey Each step of our journey is built upon the steps that someone else took before us. Because of them, there is a greater view and a brighter hope for the generations to come.