The national conversation will be focused for a long time on what went wrong at the Capitol last week. Police who were unprepared, Congressional Republicans who lied, and the President who incited the riot all bear blame. 

But we would like to take a moment to focus on something that went right: The Democratic women and men in Congress who did their duty in the face of this unprecedented threat.

Not only did they return to the House and Senate chambers to complete their Constitutionally mandated tally of electoral votes—after terrorists armed with guns and Molotov cocktails had rampaged for hours, and members were forced to don gas masks while shots were fired—they also acted heroically during the siege. 

In particular, the news is full of reports of congresswomen leading prayers, protecting journalists, and comforting their colleagues as they sheltered in place or dashed through the Capitol complex in an attempt to evacuate. 

We know that women are more likely to go into public service because they want to help others and their communities, rather than seek status. On a dark day, they put others over themselves, and country over party—in stark contrast to the seditionist President and his enablers who cared only for their short-term political gain.

There is a lot of work to do ahead, and we are focused on 2022 priorities that will further the cause of justice: Protecting these House and Senate women, keeping both chambers out of the hands of Trump’s Republican enablers, and ensuring more women of color represent us at all levels of government. 

At its core, Wednesday’s attack was whitelash—the violent eruption of a white mob in response to the increasing political power of people of color. Indeed, the last four years have been one extended period of whitelash, one we can only emerge from by doing whatever it takes to make a fair and just society for all.

We will return soon to promoting our fundraising slates in support of Democratic women candidates. But today, please consider signing up for the National Day of Service that President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris are calling for on January 18, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.