The Rise and Persistence of the Political Glass Ceiling

In the history of Congress, 215 women have served in the House, 139 Democrats (64.7 percent) and seventy-six Republicans (35.3 percent), and thirty-five women have served in the Senate, twenty-two Democrats (62.9 percent) and thirteen Republicans (37.1 percent).¹ Only three states have been represented by two women senators serving simultaneously: California, Maine, and Washington. One-third of all the women to serve in Congress are current members.