The Election May Not Be Over Yet, but These Inspiring Women Have Already Made History

Daniella Levine Cava has also made history after she was elected as the first woman mayor of Miami-Dade County, FL, on Nov. 3. "There's no place in the world like Miami-Dade. I'm honored to be the next Mayor of such a vibrant and special place," Levine Cava said in a tweet.

Nida Allam made history on Nov. 3 when she became the first Muslim-American woman to be elected to office in North Carolina. "People of Durham you made history last night by electing me as the FIRST Muslim Woman to serve the state of North Carolina," Allam said in a tweet. "I can't even express how grateful I am to have earned your trust and support."

Kim Jackson became the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to the Georgia State Senate. Jackson will represent District 41.

On Nov. 3, Taylor Small became the first openly transgender person elected to the Vermont State Legislature, making her the fifth transgender lawmaker in the nation.

Brianna Henries made history on Nov. 3 when she won Rhode Island's election for representative of District 64, making her the first Native American woman elected to the state's General Assembly.

Stephanie Byers has become the first openly transgender person elected to the Kansas State Legislature. Byers, who is a member of the Native American Chickasaw Nation, is also the first Indigenous transgender person elected to any state legislature.

Mauree Turner was elected to Oklahoma's state House, making her the first Muslim to serve on the state's legislature and one of the first openly non-binary lawmakers in America. "Y'all I can honestly say I never expected this when we started out," Turner said in a Facebook post on Nov. 3. "I have a lot of feelings about tonight. But overall, I'm grateful for HD88 granting me this opportunity. I hate SQ805 & so many other things slipped through Oklahoma's fingers . . . But I'm ready to fight hard as hell so they never do again.

In Delaware, Madinah Wilson-Anton made history as the first Muslim elected to the state legislature. "We did it!! Thank you so much to every voter, supporter, grassroots donor and loved ones who made today possible. Alhamdulillah," she said in a tweet on Nov. 3.

After winning New Mexico's third congressional district race on Nov. 3, Teresa Leger Fernandez has become the first Latinx person and the first woman to hold office in New Mexico since 1983. "With this victory, I promise you I will take the courageous action that this historic moment demands. Muchísimas gracias!" Leger Fernandez said on Instagram.

After allegedly being fired by her former boss because of her gender and sexual orientation, Charmaine McGuffey, who is openly a lesbian, ran against him and won. McGuffey is now the first LGBTQ+ sheriff and the first woman sheriff in Hamilton County, OH.

In South Carolina, Kristin Graziano unseated the longtime incumbent Al Cannon — who has been in office since 1988 — making her the first woman sheriff and first LGBTQ+ sheriff in her state. "We did it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she said in a tweet on Nov. 3.

After winning the race for Washington's 10th Congressional District, Marilyn Strickland became the first Black member of Congress from the Pacific Northwest. Strickland, who was born in Seoul, South Korea, also became the first Korean-American woman to earn a spot in the legislative body. "Thank you — to the voters of the 10th district for helping us make history last night, and to our supporters who have been with us on this journey," Strickland said in a tweet on Nov.3. "I am humbled by these results, and I look forward to working for our communities everyday in Congress. Let's get to work!"