Press Releases

Washington, DC--- Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution honoring the New Hampshire State Senate for becoming the first legislative body in American to have a majority female membership. Congressman Paul Hodes and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter introduced the resolution together earlier this year.

"New Hampshire continues to lead the way in equal opportunity for everyone," said Congressman Paul Hodes. "We have honored an important and historic achievement. By electing the first majority female legislative body in the United States, New Hampshire has become an example for millions of young American women with dreams of public service."

"New Hampshire citizens have always recognized that women are equal in leadership ability," said Congresswoman Shea-Porter. "The female majority in the State Senate illustrates this point and I applaud this achievement."

Senate President Sylvia Larsen said, "As the first female senate majority in the nation, we are honored today to be recognized by Congressman Hodes and the U.S. House of Representatives. We challenge other states and Members of Congress to match this level of male-female parity, which reflects the national population.  While in the long run we hope it will be our agenda and not our gender that makes history, we are grateful for this honor to serve."

The New Hampshire State Senate is made up of 13 women and 11 men, and 9 women chair committees in the Senate. New Hampshire is also the first state to have both of its legislative chambers led by women. Speaker Terrie Norelli is the first female Speaker of the State House, and Mary Jane Wallner serves as the House Majority Leader. Sylvia Larsen is the President of the State Senate, while Maggie Hassan serves as the Majority Leader.

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