Ahead of Election Day on Nov. 5, Temara Payton, Carolyn Payton and Doris Endsley — Hoosier Black women spanning three generations — are gearing up to vote for Kamala Harris.
This mother-daughter-grandmother trio is excitedly anticipating the moment they’ll make history together, blending their voices and hopes into a powerful vote of confidence for the future.
Being able to vote has always been a powerful took in their family, according to the women.
“My parents were really big about us being able to vote,” Temara said. “My parents had hyped it up for me to vote once I turned 18. I was excited to cast my vote.”
Temara’s mother, Carolyn, had a similar experience. Her mom, Endsley, was adamant that her children go and vote once they turned 18. Carolyn recounts that, at first, she would vote how her mom did, but as she got older, she learned the messages and meaning behind the power voting holds.
“I started reading more into the politics of everything to make sure that I understood a little more,” Carolyn said.
Carolyn recalls attending President Carter’s inauguration when she was in her 20s. They took kids from a local program in a school bus and stayed in a senator’s home.
“What I remember about (the senator) is that he was just a regular guy,” Carolyn said. “That was the first one that I really, really, thought a lot about.”
As Carolyn had her own children, the three generations took a trip back to Washington D.C. together to watch President Obama’s inauguration. The trip, as Temara and her mother describe, was unforgettable.
“It was the most amazing experience,” Carolyn said. “It wasn’t just a Black president that was important but how people came together. We met people from all over the world, not just the country. Black, white, Hispanic, Asians, everybody you can imagine.”
This election will be even more special, according to Temara.
“My grandmother said she never thought a Black man could be president, and now she’s going to get a chance to vote for the first woman president, which I’m sure she probably didn’t think in her lifetime she would be,” Temara said.
Endsley is 93, and although she may not be as mobile as she was for the Obama inauguration, she knows the power this election has and what it would mean for future generations.
“My mom is 93 years old, but she knew that Vice President Harris was running. She knew that,” Carolyn said.
While this moment is historic for the three women, Temara maintains that it is not just because she is a Black woman, but a candidate who they feel could bring change to a country that needs it.
“I think Kamala will be a president for everyone, not just Black women,” Temara said. “She will open the door for us to do bigger things … I really think she’s going to be leadership for everybody.”
Carolyn expressed similar feelings towards her vote and said that she is optimistic for the results of the election.
“We’ve already got our house rented for the inauguration when she wins,” Carolyn said. “I’ll be attending because I think she can bring change and move us forward.”
Carolyn maintains that the message of their story is beyond just theirs, that the real story is making sure that young people exercise their right to vote.
“We are out there telling our family members to register. We are making sure our church is registering our kids,” Carolyn said. “The kids that are turning 18 and are eligible to vote need to understand the importance.”
Family will be on the center stage as Black women like Temara, Carolyn and Endsley cast their vote on Nov. 5. As Temara explains, their decision is not based on voting for the candidate who is the most like them, but the one who they feel will be the best leader.
“We just really need something different,” Temara said. “We’ve been so divided. I really feel like we just need someone in leadership who can really steer us back to loving and really looking after each other.”
To register to vote before the Oct. 7 deadline, find a local polling place and read more information about absentee ballots, visit in.gov.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
