For women candidates of color, progressive doesn’t always mean inclusive

Anna Challet and Honora Montano
News Analysis
New America Media

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (Nov 7, 2016) — When Donald Trump called Hillary Clinton a “nasty woman” during the final presidential debate, the insult became a rallying cry for women everywhere, including the Bay Area. But despite San Francisco’s liberal reputation, some female politicians still get the impression that the progressive establishment here doesn’t want them around.

And that’s especially true for women of color.

San Francisco District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim is a progressive Democrat who has focused on affordable housing and income inequality, among other issues. She says she’s found herself having to perform two different roles for much of her political career. “Real or perceived, I always feel like I have to balance between being someone who pushes hard and someone who doesn’t get too much attention,” she says.

“You want to be in a supportive role because you don’t want to draw the ire of male colleagues,” she says.

Kim, 39, has had a long career in community organizing and is the former president of the San Francisco Board of Education. But in running for State Senate this year, she says, “I’ve been stunned by how nasty the race has gotten.”