There are 24 female senators in the US, which is a record number. These women are making history and changing the landscape of politics in the US. They are fighting for the rights of all Americans, regardless of gender. They are proving that women are just as capable as men when it comes to running for office and making decisions that impact the country.
The 24 women senators in the American senate are made up of 16 Democrats and eight Republican senators serving each other. This listing includes a list of female senators who run for state legislatures and a map of the states that female senators represent.
Towards the end, we have included a list of famous former female senators. One of them became the first woman vice president in senate history.
Whether you agree with their political views or not, these American women serve as role models for little girls around the world.
Table of Contents
Republican Female Senators – Women in the GOP
- Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
- Joni Ernst (R-IA)
- Susan Collins (R-ME)
- Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
- Deb Fischer (R-NE)
- Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
- Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
- Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Lisa Murkowski was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 after serving as a Representative for 4 years, starting in 1998 after being appointed to fill her father’s seat which was vacated when he became Governor of Alaska.
She is recognized as one of the most independent senators on Capitol Hill who bucks party leadership and stands up for what she believes is right.
She prefers to call herself a “realist” rather than a member of either party and has earned the nickname “maverick” for her willingness to cross political lines on key votes.
One issue that she is passionate about is animal rights; she introduced the Orca Responsibility and Care Advancement Act in 2014 with the goal of ending whale and dolphin captivity for entertainment purposes.
She has an estimated net worth between $2 million and $2.5 million according to Incomepedia.com, a net worth analysis site.
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Joni Ernst (R-IA)
Joni Ernst was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 after serving in the Iowa State Senate for 5 years and starting a career in the military before that. She is considered a rising star in the Republican Party due to her hardline conservatism on issues like abortion, guns, and Obamacare.
Recently she has come under some criticism for her suggestion that President Obama should “put all Americans back on the same footing” in regard to his recent executive order.
She has an estimated net worth of $200,000 according to Incomepedia.com, a net worth analysis site.
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Susan Collins (R-ME)
Senator Susan M. Collins is serving her fourth term in the United States Senate from the State of Maine. She previously served as United States Representative for Maine’s 1st congressional district from 1997 to 2003 and as Assistant Minority Leader, the highest-ranking woman in the Republican Party leadership in the House.
She is known for her bipartisan work and has been identified as a moderate Republican; she identifies as a member of the “go-go” wing of the GOP.
She is considered a “socially liberal Republican,” and has consistently received high scores from interest groups that support abortion rights, gun control, and environmental protection. As ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, she voted to confirm President Obama’s first Secretary of Homeland Security, the former Republican governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Ridge.
She holds an estimated net worth between $3 million and $7.6 million according to Incomepedia.com, a net worth analysis site.
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Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Cindy Hyde-Smith was elected to serve Mississippi in 2018 after serving for nearly 5 years in the State Senate and working as a small-town business owner.
She is a staunch conservative who champions pro-life issues and opposes taxpayer funding of abortions but has recently garnered attention for her support of the National Endowment for the Arts, one of several federal agencies that provide financial support to artists across the country.
When she was appointed to fill an open U.S. Senate seat in 2018, Governor Phil Bryant praised her as “a conservative champion who believes in cutting taxes, growing our economy and being tough on crime.”
She has an estimated net worth of about $4.2 million according to Incomepedia.com, a net worth analysis site.
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Deb Fischer (R-NE)
Senator Deb Fischer was first elected to the Senate in 2012, becoming the first woman elected to federal office from Nebraska. She previously served as Chair of the Nebraska Republican Party and worked for more than 20 years in business before entering politics.
Her biggest legislative accomplishments include co-sponsoring a bill that would require the president, vice president, members of Congress, and all political appointees to disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
She holds an estimated net worth of about $2.8 million according to Incomepedia.com, a net worth analysis site.
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Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Marsha Blackburn is currently serving as a U.S. Senator for the state of Tennessee. She has been in office since 2003 and is considered a strong conservative voice in the Senate.
Before becoming a Senator, she was a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for 6 years. She is most well-known for her hardline stance on abortion and is an advocate for gun rights and deregulation.
Her estimated net worth is about $636,000 according to Incomepedia.com.
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Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
Shelley Moore Capito is a current United States Senator from West Virginia. She was first elected in 2014 and is a Republican. She previously served as West Virginia’s Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005 and has been the state’s sole member of Congress since 2010.
Her estimated net worth is $3 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a net worth analysis site.
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Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)
Write about Cynthia Lummis, who is currently serving as a U.S. Senator for the state of Wyoming. She first became involved in politics in 1998 when she was appointed to be on the Johnson County Commission and has since served as Chairwoman of BLM Wyoming, President of National Association of Counties, and Vice Chairwoman of ALEC.
Her estimated net worth is $3 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a net worth analysis site.
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Democrat Female Senators
There are 16 female senators representing the Democrats, twice as many as the Republicans.
- Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ)
- Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
- Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
- Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
- Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
- Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
- Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
- Tina Smith (D-MN)
- Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)
- Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
- Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
- Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
- Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
- Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
- Patty Murray (D-WA)
- Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ)
Senator Kyrsten Sinema is a strong advocate for the LGBT community and has been one of the most outspoken members of Congress when it comes to helping minority communities. As an immigrant from Mexico, she also takes great interest in immigration reform and has been vocal about the need for comprehensive immigration reform. In her spare time, she enjoys reading mystery novels and loves to travel!
Her estimated net worth is between $0.5 million and $1 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Senator Dianne Feinstein is currently serving as a U.S. Senator for the state of California. She was first elected to this role in 1992 and has been a strong progressive voice on many issues, most notably LGBT rights and gun control.
Prior to becoming a senator, she had been the president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, a position she held from 1970-1978.
Feinstein is also the longest-serving female senator in U.S. history! She has an estimated net worth of $90 million according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Mazie Hirono is a current United States Senator from Hawaii.
Before becoming a senator, she was the U.S Representative for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district from 2007 to 2013 and served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1981 to 1991. She was both the first Buddhist and only the second Asian American to serve in the U.S Senate, joining Daniel Inouye from 1977 to 2012.
Hirono’s estimated net worth is $3 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
Tammy Duckworth is currently serving as a U.S Senator for the state of Illinois. She was first elected to serve in the senate in 2016, where she now serves with her fellow Democratic senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Baldwin.
As an Army National Guard helicopter pilot, Duckworth served with distinction during the Iraq War earning the Purple Heart, among many other decorations.
Her estimated net worth is $700,000, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
Next steps:
- Contact the senator
- Find out more about the senator
- Check out the senator’s most famous quotes (link to the quotes)
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Elizabeth Warren is currently serving as a U.S Senator for the state of Massachusetts.
She was first elected to serve in the senate in 2012 and has been a strong advocate for financial accountability. Prior to becoming a senator, she served as Chairwoman of the Congressional Oversight Panel of the Troubled Asset Relief Program from 2008-2010, prior to being elected as Senator.
Her estimated net worth is $12 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Senator Debbie Stabenow is currently serving as a U.S Senator for the state of Michigan.
She was first elected to serve in the Senate in 2000 and has been an outspoken advocate for environmental protection. Prior to becoming a senator, she served as the U.S House Representative for the 8th district of Michigan from 1997 to 2001 and was re-elected again in 2002 before being elected to the Senate.
Her estimated net worth is $32,500, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
She is currently serving as a U.S Senator for the state of Minnesota.
She was first elected to serve in the senate in 2006 and has been an outspoken advocate for both middle-class families and LGBT rights, having previously served as the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry from 2007-2015. Prior to becoming a senator, she served as the Hennepin County States Attorney from 1998 to 2006.
Her estimated net worth is between $1.5 million and $2 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Tina Smith (D-MN)
Senator Smith is a longtime political operative who has served as the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota since January of 2018. She has also worked as a senior advisor to former Vice President Al Gore during his time in office and as the CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
Her estimated net worth is $5 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) was recently elected to fill the senate seat vacated by Harry Reid. Cortez Masto is a former Attorney General of Nevada and served in that role from 2007-2015. Prior to that, she served as the 33rd State Treasurer for Nevada from 2003-2007.
Her estimated net worth is $4.6 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
Next steps:
- Contact the senator
- Find out more about the senator
- Check out the senator’s most famous quotes (link to the quotes)
Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
Write a short bio for Jacky Rosen (D-NV) is recently elected to fill the senate seat vacated by Dean Heller. Rosen is currently serving as a U.S Congresswoman for the 3rd district of Nevada and has been an outspoken advocate for women’s health care.
Prior to becoming a congresswoman, she served as CEO and President of Congregation Ner Tamid in Henderson since 2009 and previously served as a computer programmer at IBM from 1979-1996.
Her estimated net worth is $10.4 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) was recently elected to fill the senate seat vacated by Kelly Ayotte. Hassan is currently serving as the Governor of New Hampshire and has been an outspoken advocate for early childhood education and expanding health care access in the state.
Prior to becoming Governor, she served as a member of the New Hampshire Senate from 2009-2013 and was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016.
Her estimated net worth is $3.5 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
Write an article about how Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is currently serving as a U.S Senator for the state of New Hampshire. She was first elected to serve in the senate in 2009 and has been an outspoken advocate for health care access, early childhood education, and women’s health care throughout her tenure.
Prior to becoming a senator, she served as governor of New Hampshire from 1997-2003.
Her estimated net worth is $3.8 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Write an article about how Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is currently serving as a U.S Senator for the state of New York. She was first elected to serve in the senate in 2009 and has been an outspoken advocate for health care access, early childhood education and women’s health care throughout her tenure.
Prior to becoming a senator, she served as the representative for New York’s 20th congressional district from 2007-2009.
Her estimated net worth is estimated between $600,000 and $800,000, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Senator Maria Cantwell is currently serving as a U.S Senator for the state of Washington. She was first elected to serve in the senate in 2000 and has been an advocate for environmental protection and net neutrality, among other causes.
Prior to becoming a senator, she was a strong advocate for the Native American community and served as the State’s first female solicitor general from 1994 to 2000.
Her estimated net worth is $5 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Patty Murray (D-WA)
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) is currently serving as a U.S Senator for the state of Washington. She was first elected to serve in the senate in 1992 and has been an outspoken advocate for women’s health care and early childhood education throughout her tenure.
Prior to becoming a senator, she served as the Representative for Washington’s 4th congressional district from 1993-1993.
Her estimated net worth is $10 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Tammy Baldwin is currently serving as a U.S Senator from the state of Wisconsin and has been an advocate for environmental protection, women’s health care and LGBT issues throughout her tenure.
Prior to becoming a senator, she served in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2013 and was the first openly gay person to serve in the Senate!
Her estimated net worth is $1 million, according to Incomepedia.com, a website that analyzes public records to determine the financial status of individuals (including politicians)!
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Famous Former Female Senators
There are many more interesting and notable female senators who have served in the past. Some of these senators include Martha McSally, Kelly Loeffler, Jean Carnahan, Claire McCaskill, and Kamala Harris. These women have all made important contributions to American politics and will be remembered for their dedication and service.
- Kamala Harris (born 1964) – Resigned to become Vice President of the United States
- Hillary Clinton (born 1947) – Resigned to become United States Secretary of State
- Heidi Heitkamp (born 1955) – Lost reelection
- Kelly Ayotte (born 1968) – Lost reelection
- Kay Hagan (1953–2019) – Lost reelection
- Martha McSally (born 1966) – Lost election to finish term
- Kelly Loeffler (born 1970) – Lost election to finish term
- Elizabeth Dole (born 1936) – Lost reelection
- Claire McCaskill (born 1953) – Lost reelection
- Jean Carnahan (born 1933) – Lost election to finish term
Kamala Harris (born 1964) – Resigned to become Vice President of the United States
Kamala Harris was born in 1964 in Oakland, California. She is a graduate of Howard University and University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Harris began her political career as the District Attorney of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. In 2016, she was elected as a female Senator from California and served until her resignation in 2019 to become Vice President of the United States. As a senator, Harris was an outspoken advocate for health care access, early childhood education and women’s health care.
Vice President Kamala Harris is a controversial political figure because of her history as a prosecutor. Critics argue that her time as a prosecutor led to her becoming a “law and order” politician who is too aggressive on crime and too supportive of the death penalty. Others argue that her record as a prosecutor shows that the Vice President is willing to fight for the rights of the oppressed, even if it means going against the establishment.
During her tenure in the Senate, Harris served on committees that covered issues including homeland security, armed services, education and the workforce, the environment and veterans affairs. She was also involved with legislation pertaining to civil rights, criminal justice reform and immigration.
In the Senate, Harris was an outspoken advocate for access to health care, and worked with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on his Medicare for All bill.
She also introduced legislation that would work toward universal pre-kindergarten and paid family leave, as well as a bill that would reform the bail system.
In 2018, Harris questioned Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on his stances regarding issues including abortion and gun control.
Vice President Kamala Harris is hosting a first-of-its-kind dinner at her Washington D.C. residence on Tuesday, one where all her female colleagues in the U.S. Senate have been invited. All 24 of the country’s female senators were invited — 16 Democrats and eight Republicans. The bipartisan dinner will be hosted in the vice president’s residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory, marking the first time Harris has hosted lawmakers since moving into her home in April. Each senator invited must present a negative COVID-19 test to attend.
Hillary Clinton (born 1947) – Resigned to become United States Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton was born in 1947 in Illinois. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and Yale Law School. Clinton began her political career as the First Lady of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and 1983 to 1992. In 2000, she was elected as a U.S Senator from New York and served until 2009 when she became the 67th United States Secretary of State under President Barack Obama. Clinton lost her 2016 presidential bid to become the 45th President of the United States! As a secretary of state, Clinton advocated for strong national defense, gender equality and LGBT rights throughout her tenure.
Hillary Clinton is a very controversial political figure. Some people think that she is a great advocate for women’s rights and early childhood education, while others think that she is untrustworthy and dishonest. I don’t think that it’s fair to make a judgment on someone without knowing all of the facts, so I’ll just say that Hillary Clinton as a female senator is a very accomplished politician who has made many valuable contributions to American society.
Heidi Heitkamp (born 1955) – Lost reelection
Heidi Heitkamp was born in 1955 in North Dakota. She is a graduate of the University of North Dakota and Georgetown University Law Center. Heitkamp began her political career as the Attorney General of North Dakota from 1993 to 2001. In 2012, she was elected as a U.S Senator from North Dakota and served until her defeat in the 2018 election. As a senator, Heitkamp was an advocate for women’s health care and early childhood education.
Heidi Heitkamp as a female senator is a passionate advocate for the people of North Dakota. As North Dakota’s newest senator, she has made it her mission to continue protecting our environment, helping women get the healthcare they need and making higher education more affordable for all!
Kelly Ayotte (born 1968) – Lost reelection
Kelly Ayotte (born 1968) was a U.S Senator from the state of New Hampshire from 2011 to 2017. Ayotte was an advocate for environmental protection, women’s health care and LGBT issues throughout her tenure. She lost her reelection bid in 2016.
Kelly Ayotte is a graduate of Nashua High School, Pennsylvania State University and Villanova University School of Law. She worked as a law clerk for the New Hampshire Supreme Court before entering private practice. Ayotte served as a prosecutor for the New Hampshire Department of Justice, and briefly served as Deputy Attorney General of New Hampshire. In 2004, she was elected New Hampshire’s Attorney General, and she resigned in 2009 to run for the U.S Senate. As a U.S Senator, Ayotte served on the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Armed Services Committee and the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
Kay Hagan (1953–2019) – Lost reelection
Kay Hagan was a U.S Senator from the state of North Carolina from 2009 to 2015. Hagan advocated for environmental protection, women’s health care and LGBT issues throughout her tenure. She lost reelection in 2014.
Kay Hagan was born in 1953 in North Carolina. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina School of Law. Hagan began her political career as an aide to Governor Jim Hunt from 1979 to 1983. In 1998, she was elected as a member of the North Carolina Senate and served until her election to the U.S Senate in 2008. As a senator, Hagan was an advocate for environmental protection, women’s health care and LGBT issues. She lost her reelection bid in 2014.
Martha McSally (born 1966) – Lost election to finish term
Martha McSally was a U.S Senator from the state of Arizona from 2019 to 2020. McSally advocated for strong national defense, veterans’ affairs and economic equality throughout her tenure. In 2020, she lost reelection to finish the term!
Kelly Loeffler (born 1970) – Lost election to finish term
Kelly Loeffler was a U.S Senator from the state of Georgia from 2020 to 2025. Loeffler advocated for environmentally-friendly policies and strong national defense throughout her tenure. In 2021, she lost reelection to finish the term!
Kelly Loeffler is an American businesswoman and politician who served as a United States senator for Georgia from 2020 to 2021. A Republican, Loeffler was CEO of Bakkt, a subsidiary of commodity and financial service provider Intercontinental Exchange, of which her husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, is CEO.
In December 2019, Brian Kemp, the Republican governor of Georgia, appointed Loeffler to the Senate to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Senator Johnny Isakson. Loeffler announced her candidacy for the full six-year term in the 2020 election but lost to Democrat Jim Barksdale in the November 3 election.
Elizabeth Dole (born 1936) – Lost reelection
Elizabeth Dole was a U.S Senator from North Carolina from 2003 to 2009. Dole advocated for education, health care and economic equality throughout her tenure. She lost reelection in 2008.
Claire McCaskill (born 1953) – Lost reelection
Claire McCaskill was a U.S Senator from Missouri from 2007 to 2019 and as State Auditor of Missouri from 1999 to 2007. McCaskill advocated for higher education, women’s health care and LGBT rights throughout her tenure. She lost reelection in 2018.
Jean Carnahan (born 1933) – Lost election to finish term
Jean Carnahan was a U.S Senator from the state of Missouri from 2001 to 2002. She advocated for education and women’s health care throughout her tenure. Carnahan lost reelection in 2002 but won a special election in 2001 after her husband, Governor Mel Carnahan, died in a plane crash while campaigning.
Q&A Related to First Female Senator
How many female senators are there?
As of January 20, 2021, there are 24 women (16 Democrats and 8 Republicans) in the Senate.
How many female governors are there?
Currently, there are nine female governors of U.S. states, as well as Mayor Muriel Bowser of the District of Columbia and territorial governor Lou Leon Guerrero of Guam, along with other women in prominent positions throughout government and politics.
Who is the first female US Senator?
Rebecca Felton of Georgia was appointed to replace the deceased Robert Toombs on October 3, 1922, and she took office on November 21, 1922, becoming the first woman to serve in the United States Senate. After swearing allegiance for just 24 hours, however, Felton’s historic appointment opened the door for other women senators.
Who was the first female governor?
Nellie Ross, who never campaigned, won handily on November 4, 1924. On January 5, 1925, she became the first woman governor in the history of the United States.
Who was the first female mayor?
After Kansas granted women the right to vote in municipal elections in February 1887, Susanna Madora Salter was elected mayor of Argonia, Kansas on April 4, 1887, and became the first female mayor in the United States.
hours, however, Felton’s historic appointment opened the door for other women senators.
Which state has the first female US Senator?
Tennessee.
In a personal letter, how do I address Senator Blackburn?
How to Address a Senator, Member of the United States Senate
—-Envelope:
—-—-The Honorable (Full Name)
—-—-(Address within the Senate Office Building)
—-—-United States Senate
—-—-Washington, DC 20510
—-Address block on a letter or email:
—-—-The Honorable (Full Name)
——–United States Senator for (State)
—-—-(Address within the Senate Office Building)
—-—-United States Senate
—-—-Washington, DC 20510
—-Salutation:
—-—-Dear Senator (Surname):
—-Conversation:
—-—-Senator (Surname)