Donna Brazile

Early in the morning of November 8, 2000, Donna Brazile sent a text to then–presidential candidate Al Gore. The candidate lay in wait with several aides, watching as the chaotic election results unraveled. Out of either determination, or stubbornness, she texted “Never surrender. It’s not over yet.” Even without winning the election, Donna Brazile had already made history as the first woman of color to ever direct a major national presidential campaign.