Ep 4. And She Could Be Next Part Two

In the second part of And She Could Be Next, viewers are drawn deeper into a narrative of the transformative political power of women of color in America. Notably, this episode goes behind the scenes of the 2018 midterm elections, showcasing the efforts of several grassroots campaigns led by visionary women who successfully mobilized their communities to vote. With an unprecedented number of women of color running for office, the episode takes a closer look at the obstacles they faced and the victories they achieved.

The film’s co-directors, Grace Lee and Marjan Safinia, lend their perceptive eye and immersive story-telling to this exploration of political insurgency. Following several candidates throughout their campaigns and election nights, the dread and triumphs of the contestants and their communities are palpable. We witness the anxiety of a coalition anticipating the results of an election that could shift the political landscape; and the joy of unbridled hope that spurts from the mouths of volunteers as they corner potential voters on the street.

In one of the campaigns spotlighted, a group of activists from Ferguson, Missouri, go from protesting in the streets to forming an organization whose goal is to diversify political representation. In another, a Native American woman named Deb Haaland makes history as one of the first two Indigenous women to be elected to Congress, even as she faces attacks on her ethnicity. Across the board, we see up-and-coming women of color refusing to spend their careers in the shadows of a mostly-white patriarchal democracy.

While the stories in this particular episode intertwine with Part One of the series, each segment stands on its own as a moving narrative of these women's resilience and grit. Behind the scenes, viewers are introduced to the hard-working teams and fierce dedication that went into building these campaigns. Despite the setbacks that followed each end, each woman learns to keep moving forward with unstoppable momentum.

In addition to the election coverage, the episode also incorporates deeply personal reflections from the campaign participants, highlighting the impact their work has on their daily lives. After all, the victories of women of color in politics inches America towards a society where all women, regardless of race, are uplifted. Women of color have developed their own language in discussing political participation, one that emphasizes the importance of cooperation, mentorship, and mutual support. As a platform, this American Masters episode is an ode to the strategy and spirit of the next generation of women in politics.