Leader Brinks honors and celebrates the progress of women
For the first time in Michigan’s history, the Senate Majority Leader is a woman. On National Women Support Women Day (December 1) — a commemorative day created in 2018 by Amy O’Donnell to honor influential women in the arts, politics, business and other fields — it is befitting to highlight this historic achievement, as well as the vital accomplishments of women across the state who made it possible.
“I come from very humble beginnings — I was a small-town girl living on a dairy farm who was raised to work hard, to look people in the eye and to be kind,” said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). “When I started in politics, I just knew I wanted to do my best to represent my community. It never dawned on me that I’d be here, but I’m happy to be in this role and want to set the tone for more women in leadership positions. If I can do it, they can too.”
Leader Brinks (center) gathered with guest speakers and her newly revealed portrait on Oct. 11, 2023 in Heritage Hall.
Leader Brinks’ journey in politics began in 2012 when, after a deceitful political maneuver left Democrats without a candidate on the ballot, she ran a write-in campaign for state representative. She won that first election and proceeded to win reelection to the House in 2014 and 2016. She then secured a key win to the Michigan Senate in 2018, when Democrats achieved a leadership trifecta for the first time in nearly four decades and was subsequently named Senate Majority Leader by her peers. Despite never planning to start a career in politics, Leader Brinks was driven by her commitment to restoring integrity in state government.
Making it Official
In October 2023, Leader Brinks and other invited attendees gathered in the Michigan State Capitol to witness the unveiling of her official portrait.
Speakers at the event included Capitol Historian/Curator Valerie Marvin, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Welch, Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist (pictured above, from left to right).
“The truth is, the faces on the Capitol walls matter,” said Capitol Historian Valerie Marvin. “They matter to elected officials, to leaders, to children, to teenagers, to professionals, to staff, to senior citizens. They remind us that other people who are like us, who look like us, have done important things and have a place in government.”
“We’ve seen a lot of [firsts in] history now, but this “first” is so special,” said U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. “For the future ongoing, young girls and young boys who tour this Capitol will know they can run for office, they can be the leader of the State Senate.”
“I think what we will continue to see throughout the duration of Senate Majority Leader Brinks’ service in the Michigan Senate is that she will always be the one who is ready to answer the call,” said Lt. Governor Gilchrist.
A Full Circle Moment
Following the event, Leader Brinks and volunteers — including some other historic ‘firsts’ — assembled about 600 hygiene kits for families experiencing homelessness and poverty, marking the first time such an event occurred at the Michigan Capitol. It was a full circle moment for Leader Brinks, who has been vocal about shedding the stigma surrounding reproductive health for years — evidenced by her efforts in promoting statewide access to hygiene products and repealing the tampon tax.
Leader Brinks, along with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Welch (left), led staff and volunteers in a service project to pack over 600 hygiene kits for a shelter in her district.
Leader Brinks’ presence as a woman leader speaks volumes and symbolizes hard-won progress, inclusivity efforts and breaking of barriers. All this, supported by Leader Brinks and Michigan’s first-ever legislative caucus comprised of more women than men, has helped shape deeply impactful legislation.
“My goal is to look back at the work that my colleagues and I are doing with a sense of pride,” said Leader Brinks. “Even with this shiny title, I know who I am and remember where I came from. It’s all about showing women and the little girls looking up to them they can accomplish amazing things — especially when they’re given the necessary tools and resources to succeed.”
Leader Brinks’ framed portrait will hang proudly in the storied Senate Majority Leader’s conference room within the State Capitol as a display of hope and progress, inspiring women and girls across the state of Michigan for generations to come.
Read more from the Michigan Senate Democrats at SenateDems.com/press.