In the aftermath of the 2018 midterms, a lot of people seem divided on what the results mean politically. Was the night a victory for Democrats who picked up a large number of seats in the house? Were the senate pickups enough to call it a victory for Republicans? What does it all mean for democracy moving forward?

While there may be more questions than answers as we move forward following the election, one thing is clear: women had a immensely successful and historic night. Women, especially those of color, ran in record numbers and picked up an impressive number of “firsts”.

Here are some of those historic victories:

The youngest ever: At just 29 years old, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress by winning a House of Representatives seat in New York’s 14th congressional district. The progressive, democratic socialist ran on ideas like opposing ICE, securing medicare for all, and fighting to protect civil rights.

First Muslim women: Democrats Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib simultaneously became the first muslim women elected to congress by winning seats in Minnesota and Michigan, respectively. Omar will also be the first Somali-American in Congress.

First Native American women: Another dual-first as democrats Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland become the first ever Native American women to serve in congress. Davids, a former mixed martial arts fighter and white house fellow under the Obama administration, also becomes the first openly LGBTQ Kansan elected to Congress.

Firsts for Black women: Jahana Hayes, the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, won her 5th district race to become first black congresswoman from Connecticut and her fellow democrat Ayanna Pressley became the first black woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts.

While these were some of the most notable “firsts” for women, people of color and young nominees, there were all kinds of other major victories. Republican Marsha Blackburn became the first female senator from Tennessee, Democrats Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne became the first women House members from Iowa. In Texas, Veronica Escobar and Sylvia Garcia became the first Latina congresswomen out of the state.

Overall, it was an absolutely monumental night for women in terms of breakthroughs and taking positions of power throughout the country.

It was beautiful to watch unfold.

 

Josh Stewart considers himself a global citizen first and foremost and is passionate about cultural exchange. He has a B.s. in Political Science and Hispanic Studies from St. John's University in Minnesota and experience as both an ESL and social studies teacher in Korea and the Philippines. He currently works a digital content Manager for Citizen Education and Education Post and enjoys both traditional and creative methods crafting messages around the desperate need to improve our education system and provide quality options to the most marginalized students and families.

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