First Openly Transgender Person to Serve as a State Senator
In 2020, Sarah McBride was elected to the Delaware State Senate. McBride is the first openly transgender person to serve as a State Senator in U.S. History.
2020
First Openly Transgender Person of Color to Serve on a State Legislature
Stephanie Byers, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, was elected to the Kansas State Legislature. Byers is not only the first openly transgender person elected to the legislature, but also the first transgender person of color to serve as a state legislator in U.S. history.
2020
First Person Previously Convicted of a Felony to Serve in the Legislature
Tarra Simmons was elected to the Washington State Legislature. Simmons is the first person previously convicted of a felony to serve in the legislature. To learn more about the representation of incarcerated women and Simmons take a look at RepresentWomen’s Brief on Incarcerated Women.
2020
First Black Woman to Represent Missouri in Congress
After an unsuccessful campaign in 2018, Cori Bush, a Black Lives Matter activist, became the first Black woman to represent Missouri in Congress after the 2020 elections.
2020
First Korean-American Woman Elected to Congress
Marilyn Strickland elected to represent Washington's 10th District in the House of Representatives is one of the first Korean-American women to serve in Congress, and the first Black woman to represent Washington State.
2020
First Korean-American Woman Elected to Congress
Michelle Steel elected to serve California's 48th District in the House of Representatives is one of the first Korean-American women to serve in Congress.
2020
First Korean-American Woman Elected to Congress
Young Kim elected to serve California's 39th District in the House of Representatives is one of the first Korean-American women to serve in Congress.
2020
First Woman Elected Senator of Wyoming
Republican women made many gains in the 2020 election cycle. Cynthia Lummis became the first woman elected Senator of Wyoming.
2020
First Woman, Black & Asian American Vice President
In 2020, Kamala Harris broke multiple milestones and ultimately, the glass ceiling, when she became President Joe Biden's running-mate in the 2020 Presidential Election. On January 20, 2021 Kamala Harris once again made history by becoming the nation's first woman, Black & Asian American Vice President. On November 19, 2021, she also became the first woman to temporarily have acting powers of President.
2021
First Asian American Woman Mayor of Boston, MA
Michelle Wu was elected mayor of Boston, MA in 2021. She became the first person of color and first Asian-American woman to be elected to the seat.
2021
First Female Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
In 2021, Winsome Sears became the first woman and the first woman of color to win the Lieutenant Governor’s office. She is also the first woman of color to win any statewide election in Virginia.