Women Take The Lead: 2020 Sets Records in Representation in U.S.

Sen. Kamala Harris made history in her acceptance speech in Delaware.

“Dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourself in a way that others might not see you, simply because they’ve never seen it before. And we will applaud you every step of the way.”

““Dream with #ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourself in a way that others might not see you, simply because they’ve never seen it before. And we will applaud you every step of the way.”—@KamalaHarris. #womenleaders”

These were the stunning words from the next and first Madam Vice President, Kamala Harris, from a Delaware stage before introducing President Elect Joe Biden after the election results were announced.

“But while I may be the first woman in this office, I won’t be the last. Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities,” Harris said.

““But while I may be the first woman in this office, I won’t be the last. Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities,” @KamalaHarris said. #HerStory #MadamVicePresident”

It was an historic moment for women seen around the world. In addition to Harris, the first ever Black/South Asian woman, daughter of immigrants, HBCU graduate, to be elected to the second highest office in the history of the country, other firsts were remarkable.

As contentious and chaotic as the campaign for elected office was this past season, tallying the election results was possibly even more exasperating and confusing. Yet in this 2020 election, several additional milestones reached were unprecedented for women and persons identifying as female with more than 270 victories for women elected.

And often telling the world about it first was Sally Buzbee, executive editor of AP News, who oversaw every election result decision and called the results for the international wire service.

Honored with making a red state blue and changing the outcome of the presidential election from Georgia is of course, Stacey Abrams.

“Honored with making a red state blue and changing the outcome of the presidential election from Georgia is of course, @Staceyabrams. #BlackWomenLead #Election2020”

Sarah McBride became the first and only openly transgender state senator in history, winning the Delaware state Senate race, and making her “the country's highest-ranking transgender official,” NBC News reports.

“@SarahEMcBride became the first and only openly transgender state senator in history, winning the Delaware state Senate race. #Election2020 #LGBTQ ”

Read more from Gloria Feldt on leading with your vote

"I hope tonight shows an LGBTQ kid that our democracy is big enough for them, too," McBride, 30, tweeted Tuesday night after the election was called.

“Three Native American women are headed to Congress after a record number ran for congressional office,” reports Arizona Public Media.

“At least 18 Native American women ran for congressional office in 2020, the highest number in any single election cycle. Gabriella Cázares-Kelly, won her race and will be the next Pima County Recorder. She is the first indigenous woman to win this office.”

"This isn't just my win. This is a win for the Tohono O'odham people, for the Pascua Yaqui people, for any of you who are tribally affiliated or affiliated with a tribe, to people of color — this is a win for all of us," Cázares-Kelly tells AZ Public Radio.

Read more in Take The Lead on voting women into office

According to ABC News, “In an election year that saw a record-breaking number of women and women of color candidates run,” Congress will be more diverse than ever.

“Cori Bush, a progressive activist who unseated a longtime Democratic incumbent in August in Missouri's 1st Congressional District, won her general election race Tuesday, making her the first Black woman to represent Missouri in Congress.”

Additionally, “Marilyn Strickland, the two-time former Democratic mayor of Tacoma, Washington, won her race in Washington's 10th Congressional District, making her the first African-American member of the Washington state delegation and the first African-American from the Pacific Northwest in Congress.”

Additionally, “New Mexico is sending three women to Congress, making it the largest all-women delegation in U.S. history.” In California, Young Kim, a Republican in the 39th Congressional District, will be the first Korean-American woman to serve in Congress.

Emily’s List reports that Iman Jodeh (CO-HD41) is the first Muslim in the Colorado General Assembly. In Minnesota, Mary Kunesh-Podein (MN-SD41) will become the first Native woman in the Minnesota State Senate. Jessica Benham (PA-HD36) is the first openly Autistic LGBTQ+ member of the Pennsylvania House (and one of the first openly Autistic legislators in the entire United States!).

According to The 19th, “So far, the number of female Republicans who will serve in the next Congress—31—surpasses the previous high of 30, set in 2006. Female Democrats’ tally is at 96, which represents a loss of nine seats.

Read more in Take The Lead on women in office

For instance, former journalist Maria Elvira Salazar unseated Democrat Donna Shalala in Florida’s 27th District. Yvette Herrell, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, beat incumbent Xochitl Torres Small in New Mexico’s 2nd District; she’ll be the first Native American Republican woman in Congress.

According to The Lilly, “Stephanie Byers (Chickasaw), who won in the Kansas House, became the first transgender person of color elected to a state legislature in the country. In Florida, Michele Rayner-Goolsby became the state’s first openly queer Black woman state legislator and Shevrin Jones became the state’s first out LGBTQ state senator. In Oklahoma, Mauree Turner, who is Black and Muslim, became the first gender nonbinary person to be elected to a state legislature.”

The Lilly reports, “It’s a big statement on humanity that even here in Kansas people cannot throw up barricades … and [instead] say, ‘Let’s elect who we feel can be the person who can represent us best and not worry about gender identity, not worry about sexual orientation, just who will work for us,’” Byers said.

Read more in Take The Lead on the gender gap in politics

Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers University reports record-setting wins for 131 Republican and Democratic women candidates. In the U.S. House, 106 women, that includes 43 women of color. Women will be at least 23.2% of all members of the U.S. House.

“@CAWP_RU at @RutgersU reports record-setting wins for 131 Republican and Democratic women candidates. #Election2020 #womeninpolitics”

Twenty-five women, 17 Democrats, 8 Republicans, will serve in the U.S. Senate, including four women of color. Women will at least be 25% of all members of the Senate.

“Twenty-five women, 17 Democrats, 8 Republicans, will serve in the U.S. Senate, including four #woc. Women will at least be 25% of all members of the Senate. #womenleaders #womeninpolitics”

At least 87 women will serve in statewide elected executive office, including governor, in 2021. This includes 15 women of color, CAWP reports. Women will be at least 28.1% of all statewide elected executive officials. No new women governors were elected in 2020, so nine women will continue to serve as governors in 2021, including one woman of color.

 "Following the record-setting 2018 midterm elections, we've been cautiously optimistic that we were seeing the emergence of a new normal, rather than a one-time surge. With record levels of candidates and nominees in 2020, that optimism seems justified. Early indications are that we are also likely to surpass records for officeholders." said CAWP Director Debbie Walsh. "But successes like these don't just happen. They require the dedicated attention of parties, donors, activists, and voters, as is particularly evident from the expanded number of Republican women candidates this year. It takes hard work. And the work continues."

Five thirty eight reports, “So on the whole, because more women are running, more women are winning. But reducing the gender gap in elected office-holders is more complicated than simply getting more women to run. This is why research shows that endorsements (and the financial backing that tends to come with them) can be crucial to addressing under-representation among women in political office.”

In her speech, where audience members appeared visibly moved, Harris honored the legacy of women in her family and throughout history.

“In her speech, where audience members appeared visibly moved, @KamalaHarris honored the legacy of women in her family and throughout history. #MadamVicePresident”

“Women who fought and sacrificed so much for equality, liberty, and justice for all, including the Black women, who are too often overlooked, but so often prove that they are the backbone of our democracy.”