EMILY's List
Politico: Women senators paving the way
By Emily on 10/09/2009 @ 05:40 PM
Blazing the trail. Breaking new ground. Making history.
That's exactly how our women in Congress have been described and, even though we know it's true, it sure is great when others take notice of their incredible work.
Today, Politico ran a great piece about women in the Senate. Calling them "the magnificent seven," the article outlines exactly how much has changed since Sen. Barbara Mikulski (MD) became the first Democratic woman elected in her own right in 1986. Mikulski, the first woman EMILY's List helped elect, joined the Senate when there were no women's restrooms in the Senate Chamber, the gym was for men only, and the two women senators were both called "little lady."
Now, Mikulski serves unofficially as the "dean" of women in the Senate, and that means leading the way for many of her colleagues and mentoring new women senators (like the freshman we helped elect last year, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Kay Hagan of North Carolina, along with the newest woman member, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York).
And, as the article points out, women in the Senate haven't only grown in numbers; they've also gained remarkable influence. Women lead five of the Senate's 20 committees. As the conference secretary, Sen. Patty Murray (WA) is the fourth highest-ranking Democrat, and Mikulski is the 17th highest-ranking member of the Senate.
“Women senators are not a caucus; we’re a force,” said Mikulski.
They sure are -- but that doesn't mean our work is over. Women in the Senate are making huge strides, but they still comprise only 17 percent of the Senate. Based on what we've accomplished together in the last 24 years, it's amazing to think what the next 24 will bring.
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