A group of women from Summit called Nubian 9, better known as N9, are stepping up to ensure their community’s voice is heard at the ballot box. The social group of nine long-time childhood female friends from the Summit-Argo community is committed to fostering sisterhood, social impact, and sensational living (living life to the fullest).

In alignment with its social impact efforts, N9 has put its energy into empowering the community of Summit by encouraging voter participation in upcoming elections. Organizing from the Emmett Till Memorial Center, named in honor of the 14-year-old who was brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955, the women are helping Summit-Argo residents register to vote, mail in their ballots, or make it to the polls. The Center will serve as the headquarters for the group and will be where volunteers assist with voter registration drives and distribute policy information to ensure residents are informed. N9 hopes to engage citizens who may have previously felt disconnected or disenfranchised by the electoral process as well as new young adult voters. In addition, given its sisterhood pillar, N9 will have a special focus on encouraging women to make their voice heard through voting.

The group also plans to collaborate with local businesses and churches to ensure that information about registration and voting is accessible to all and that transportation to the polls is readily available. These efforts are particularly important for those who may face barriers to participating, such as older adults, first-time voters, or individuals with limited access to transportation.

Summit, once home to Emmett Till before his tragic death, has been the site of many civil rights efforts over the decades. This new initiative honors that legacy by addressing the modern-day challenges of voter suppression and underrepresentation. With early voting and mail-in ballots becoming increasingly vital, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, this grassroots effort is timely. By focusing on education and community engagement, the women behind this movement hope to not only boost voter turnout in Summit but also inspire similar efforts in other towns across Illinois and beyond.