Women Making Political History in 2013

Women in politics are taking the world by storm this year.

With women in this field making major strides, 2013 is already shaping up to be a year of great achievement.

Since Jeannette Rankin became the first woman to serve in the U.S. Congress in 1917, a total of 292 women have held seats in the Senate or House of Representatives, according to the Center for American Women and Politics.

Today, women are holding more offices than ever before. Take a look at some of the most recent women to make history in our government.

The 113th Congress swears in a record number of women, with 20 serving in the Senate and 77 in the House.

New Hampshire becomes the first state to elect all female representatives for its Congressional and Senate seats. Representatives Carol Shea-Porter and Ann McLane Kuster along with Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte joined Governor Maggie Hassan in making history for this state.

The first woman to permanently hold the position of Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Mary L. Schapiro, is succeeded by a second female chairman, Mary Jo White, who was appointed to the position by President Obama this January.

President and CEO of REI, Sally Jewell, is nominated by President Obama to assume the position of Secretary of the Interior by the end of March. Amber Cottle becomes the first woman to hold the position of Democratic Staff Director for the Senate Finance Committee.

Hawaiian Senator Mazie Keiko Hirono becomes the first Japanese-born woman to hold a seat in the Senate.

Tammy Baldwin becomes the first openly gay person and first female to hold a Senate seat in Wisconsin.

Bonus PINK Link: See our 2012 list of female trailblazers here.

Who’s on your list of women making history this year?

By Sarah Grace Alexander

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes.” Maya Angelou