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As Hillary Makes History, Here’s Where Women Stand in Congress

Three states have never elected a woman to Congress

Hillary Clinton is set to make history as the first woman to head the presidential ticket of a major political party. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Hillary Clinton is set to make history as the first woman to head the presidential ticket of a major political party. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Hillary Clinton has clinched the number of delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination for president, the Associated Press says, making history as the first female to top a major party ticket for president. But women, who have historically been underrepresented in Washington, still have a long way to go in politics.   

A woman was first elected to the House in 1916, and to the Senate in 1932. Since then, some states have sent women to Congress far more frequently than others. Women have held the greatest share of House seats in Hawaii and Senate seats in Maine.  

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2016 Won’t Beat Many Records for Women in the Senate 

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Delaware, Mississippi and Vermont have never elected a woman to Congress.   

There are a record 104 women currently serving in Congress – 20 in the Senate and 84 in the House of Representatives. In addition, there are four nonvoting women delegates in the House.   

Here’s a look at how all 50 states have done with sending women to Congress over time.  



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