In Michigan, women continue to make significant strides in elected office, improving the political and policy landscapes in the process. In 2018, Gretchen Whitmer was elected governor, Dana Nessel was elected attorney general, and Jocelyn Benson was elected secretary of state. In 2019, Bridget Mary McCormack was named Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, marking the first time in the state’s history that all those positions were simultaneously held by women.
Progress continued to be made in 2022, as Michigan Senate Democrats won their first majority in 40 years, constituted the first female-majority legislative caucus ever, and subsequently elected Senator Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) as the first woman to lead a Senate Majority in state history. To know that not too many years ago this feat would have been deemed unlikely speaks to the significance of the moment we are in — and that women’s history continues to be made each day in the Capitol.
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks stands alongside House Speaker Joe Tate, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel at Gov. Whitmer’s inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023. Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance
As of 2024, 12 women serve in the Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus and 34 women serve in the Michigan House of Representatives Democratic Caucus. There are 13 women Chiefs of Staff in the Michigan Senate. Altogether, there are 99 women legislative staffers in the Michigan Senate — responsible for taking on tasks such as managing senators’ schedules, handling constituent cases, and writing important correspondence. Their work is valuable and is a major part of what makes the Legislature run efficiently.
That is why Women’s History Month is needed now more than ever – to showcase how integral women are to the success of our state legislature, and to an even greater extent, our world.
Women’s History Month originated on International Women’s Day, which was first observed on March 8th, 1911. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. This celebration was later expanded to a month-long observance when Congress passed a resolution in 1987 designating March as Women’s History Month.
Since then, Women’s History Month has served as an opportunity to singularly honor women for their achievements.
In October 2023, Leader Brinks and other invited attendees gathered in the Michigan State Capitol to witness the unveiling of her official portrait. Capitol Historian/Curator Valerie Marvin, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Welch, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist joined Leader Brinks to celebrate this outstanding moment in Michigan history (see video above).
Other Senate Democrats have also helped change the face of leadership in the State Capitol, quite literally. Last month, Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) had a new portrait unveiled that will hang in the Capitol, commemorating her role as the first Black woman to Chair the Senate Appropriations Committee and craft the state budget.
By highlighting women lawmakers in Michigan, the Michigan Senate Democrats hope more women will ultimately be inspired to enter public service. Over time, the Michigan Legislature expects to build a pipeline of diverse and empowered leaders who can be guided by their fellow women colleagues.
Representation in government is key to ensuring that a wide range of perspectives and experiences are reflected in decision-making processes. Senate Democrats recognize the importance of having women in leadership positions to advocate for equitable policies. We will delve more into our positive policy changes throughout Women’s History Month — and will continue to fight for those policies every single day of the year.
Read more from the Michigan Senate Democrats at SenateDems.com/press.