Two Black women were selected to represent their respective states in the nation’s Senate at the same time for the first time in U.S. history, marking a historic achievement.
In Delaware, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, who represented the state’s at-large congressional district for the last seven years, was announced as Senator-elect on Tuesday, becoming the first Black woman to represent the state. Meanwhile, in Maryland, state attorney Angela Alsobrooks won 52.6% of the votes, beating Republican Larry Hogan to become Senator-elect.
From the bottom of my heart, Delaware, thank you ???? pic.twitter.com/UI9GtzqYBJ
— Lisa Blunt Rochester (@LisaBRochester) November 6, 2024
With their elections to the Senate, Rochester and Alsobrook also made history by doubling the number of Black women who have ever been elected to a position in this particular branch of government. Carol Moseley Braun made history as the first Black woman to be elected to the Senate in 1992; Vice President Kamala Harris joined her in 2016, becoming the second Black woman to be elected.
Currently, Sen. Laphonza Butler is the only Black woman serving in the Senate. She was, however, appointed to the position following the passing of Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
“We’re talking here about a history of not just under-representation — and keep in mind that Black women are nearly 8% of all Americans — but also long periods of no representation at all for Black women in the Senate,” said the director of the Center for American Women and Politics, Debbie Walsh, per NBC News. “So this certainly is a potentially historic moment, but we also should reflect on what is gained by having their voices in the conversation.”
Although the night marked multiple historic achievements, including the election of the first openly transgender lawmaker to Congress, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the loss for her own historic bid in a concession speech on Wednesday.
Standing on the grounds of her alma mater, Howard University, Harris urged supporters to accept the results and spoke about the upcoming transition of power. With her speech, the vice president became the first candidate to accept the results since the 1988 presidential election when George H.W. Bush won against Michael Dukakis.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every Marylander. To serve this state, my home, is the honor of a lifetime. pic.twitter.com/zbWLnvf8EM
— Angela Alsobrooks (@AlsobrooksForMD) November 6, 2024
Harris also inspired voters and supporters, maintaining that she would not give up the fight for democracy.
“Hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always burn bright. As long as we never give up,” said Harris. “And as long as we keep fighting.”
In her speech, Harris also urged younger generations to have faith and to not be deterred by this year’s election results.
“You have the capacity to do extraordinary good in the world. And so to everyone who is watching, do not despair,” said Harris. “This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is a time to roll up our sleeves.”
