Lost in all the bickering among Democrats and Republicans about the midterm elections—the latter rejoicing and the former reminding everyone that approximately two-thirds of the electorate didn’t vote—is the historic makeup of Congress with regard to its female members.
On Wednesday Rep. Alma Adams, who now represents North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District, was sworn into office and became the 80th woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, there are 80 women in the House and 20 in the Senate.
“This marks the first time in history that 100 votes will be cast by women members of Congress,” EMILY’s List, a political advocacy group for Democratic female candidates, said in a press statement.
Democratic political organizations are particularly excited that Adams, an African American and a Democrat, was the 100th woman who made this Congress a historic assembly for women.
“As a woman, a mother and a member of Congress, I am encouraged to see more women making their voices heard and taking their seat at the table,” Democratic National Committee Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said in a separate statement.
“Working families need leaders like Alma, who will unapologetically fight to protect women’s reproductive health care access and economic security,” Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List, said.