“Make America Great Again” was the promise Donald Trump made two years ago when he became the leader of the free world. Improved health care, a better economy, and a border wall paid for by Mexico were on our horizon. What we got was scandalous investigations, corrupt international relations, and a flood of offensives that would have caused the start of impeachment hearings for any other seating US President. Trump’s racist rants and loathly lies have divided America versus bringing us together. America’s outlook was bleak rather than bright. Then midterms roll around and Americans who had enough of Trump ran, not walked, to the polls to turn lands that were once red, blue (or almost blue) again. Now with this shift in power, will America rise from the ashes of hate and stagnation to finally allow love and progress to prevail? If that happens then America can truly be great.

Election night wasn’t all that Democrats had hoped for but it certainly wasn’t the worst. Gaining control of the U.S. House was a major win. But the bigger win was how women not only stepped up to serve but won carving out their place in history accomplishing fetes yet unseen before. More than 100 women will be serving in Congress. Twelve women (and counting as some races haven’t been called) are the first women of their ethnicity representing their district. Nineteen African American women were elected as judges in Harris County. Can we just pause and say wow to that girl power?

Ayanna Pressley unseated a 10-term vet to become the first African American representing Massachusetts in the US House of Representatives. And this was after she made history as the first African American on Boston’s City Council. Pow!

Jahana Hayes was a teacher. In fact, she is a former National Teacher of the Year winner before she decided to throw her hat into the political arena. Her time out she makes history to become the first African American to stand for Connecticut in Congress.

Lauren Underwood got a taste of politics working as an adviser to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She liked and took a chance at being the first woman and first African American to rally for the 14th Congressional District of Chicago. And she succeeded.

Native Americans have a seat at the table with Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland as their voice. These two ladies are from Kansas and New Mexico, respectfully. Plus, Davids is helping to fight for issues of the LGBT community as she is also the first lesbian congresswoman from her state.

Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar are also bringing a different flair to the House as the first Muslim congresswomen. In addition to representing Michigan, Tlaib is the first Palestinian-American woman in Congress. Omar from Minnesota is toting some historic firsts of her own as the first Somali-American, first refugee and first woman of color in Congress.

New York is now home to the youngest member elected to Congress at the age of 29, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and African American female Attorney General Letitia James.

The above was the scope across the county. Let’s reel this thing home to Texas. The historically red state was almost turned blue by El Paso’s Beto O’Rourke. But where O’Rourke came a little short, the women excelled. Texas has open the Congressional door to not one but two Latina females. Veronica Escobar will go from county judge to congresswoman from El Paso. Sylvia Garcia gains a larger platform from state representative to the Congressional legislator from Houston.

The celebration in Houston doesn’t stop with Garcia as people are still shocked over the 27-year-old Lina Hidalgo that beat long term incumbent Ed Emmet to become the first Latina to be Harris County Judge.

Continuing the celebration in Houston is all of this black girl magic of 19 elected African American females to the bench in Harris County. This is the first time in history that these many African American females have run and won judgeships in one county. And may I throw in some HBCU hometown pride to boast that 8 of these melanin popping ladies were educated at Texas Southern University and one matriculated at Prairie View A&M University.

Minorities coming to the polls

The above could not have gotten elected if you didn’t show up to the polls. Although numbers were still relatively low when you think about how many are eligible to vote. However, for those who did vote, the minority represented was up. According to the polls, African Americans outvoted any other race with a 61.1% turnout, whites were next with 59.8%, followed by Hispanics then Asians bringing in over 20% for each.

Now to those of you that didn’t vote. How dare you not vote, especially minorities? There were numerous people who literally fought and died just so you could exercise your right. Knowing that alone ought to make you want to go to the polls. And if that doesn’t stir you to move, all the political nonsense from the President and all of Washington should lit a fire under you. Just remember if you were not a part of the solution, don’t complain about the problem. No vote, no voice.

The midterm elections taught me that anything is possible when people start to stand for something. I encourage everyone to stay in engage because although things are looking better they continue towards greatness when we hold people accountable for the promises they made. Newly elected and returning officials never forget who you are working for…the people. Just as easily as we put your office, we can take you out. Go forth and “Make America Great.”