Abstract

The focus of this case study examines black congresswomen in the United States during the 108 th Congressional Session and their legislative advocacy for social justice through progressive policies. The questions guiding the research were: RQ1: Did black congresswomen, in the 108 th Congressional Session, use the sponsorship of legislation to advocate social justice through progressive policies? RQ2: What was the frequency of issues addressed in the legislation and the top five issues advocated? RQ3: What was the outcome of sponsored legislation? This case study examined 300 pieces of legislation sponsored by black congresswomen during the years of 2003 and 2004. The data collected were coded and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that black women in Congress almost exclusively sponsor legislation that advocated social justice through progressive policies. Issues that were strongly advocated were in the categories of Civil and Human Rights, Women and Children, Health and Safety, and Education and Labor