A Mississippi delegate known for her eye-catching political outfits was back at the Democratic National Convention this year.
In a crowd of people dressed in the usual business attire, it was hard to miss Hernando resident and Democratic activist Kelly Jacobs. Throughout the DNC in Chicago, she could be spotted wearing the dresses — 10 total — she sewed herself, emblazoned with the images of Democratic Party figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s presidential nominee, and former President Barack Obama.
Jacobs’ bold outfits aren’t just for fun — they’re a calculated move by the delegate to encourage people to vote, and remind residents of the heavily Republican DeSoto County that they have options.
“The reason why I have the dresses is because I live in Mississippi, and nobody believes a white girl is a Democrat,” Jacobs said. “I’m a community activist. I go knock on doors, I go to meetings… it strikes up a conversation. Usually, ‘Take off that dress, I want it.'”
While she began coming to the DNC with her dresses in 2008, it wasn’t until 2016 that Jacobs gained national attention when she appeared wearing a handmade dress adorned on all sides with then-President Obama’s image. The dress was soon put on display at the New-York Historical Society Museum in Manhattan after the museum’s director reached out to her. The dress is one of about 25 she has created so far.
“I was gobsmacked,” Jacobs said at the time. “I’m very honored.”
This year, she was at it again with new outfits. Some dresses worn during DNC were adorned with the image of Harris holding a torch, invoking imagery of Lady Liberty, and another with the Statue of Liberty behind her. The dress’ style was in similar fashion to Lady Liberty herself.
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Back home in DeSoto County, Jacobs serves as campaign manager for Dianne Black, the Democratic nominee running for the 1st Congressional District of Mississippi. She recently developed the idea of handing out homemade friendship bracelets that read: “Swifty Voter”. Like her dresses, the bracelets serve as a conversation starter for young potential voters, with the ultimate goal of helping them register to vote.
“It was very well received, ” Jacobs said. “I made and handed out in northern Mississippi before the convention 2,400 bracelets. They take 10 to 15 minutes each to make… so whenever you sit down to watch TV, or there’s a car ride that’s longer than a half an hour, then I’m working on the bracelets.”
She continued with the idea at the DNC, handing out 1,000 bracelets over the four-day convention, many now featuring the presidential nominee’s name as well. Accordingly, the image of Taylor Swift appeared on many of Jacobs’ dresses.
Other attire Jacobs appeared in included a wide-brimmed hat with “President Kamala” on the front, as well as bedazzled hot pink shoes with the nominee’s initials over the laces, “K H”. Another dress showed former President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama speaking and smiling together, one of Jacobs’ personal favorites she has created.
Jacobs has had an undeniable passion for talking about issues she believes will affect millions of Americans, and her dress-making skills play a key part in starting that dialogue.
“That’s what drives me, is trying to protect the planet, trying to protect women so they have options like I’ve had options all my life,” she said. “Trying to protect seniors because now I am one… there’s just so much to protect that, you know, it keeps me motivated.”
Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at [email protected].
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Publish date : 2024-08-24 00:04:00
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