The historic wave of success saw 102 women sworn in, including the first-ever Muslim candidates. In November Grazia reported lhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib’s election success during the country’s midterm elections, and last week Minnesota’s lhan, the nation’s first Somali-American legislator, and Michigan’s Rashida, the first Palestinian woman in Congress, made history for Muslim women.

Both ladies have pushed a progressive agenda, including health insurance and a Dhs55-an-hour minimum wage, according to their campaign websites.

On the evening before her swearing, Ilhan revealed, “23 years ago, from a refugee camp in Kenya, my father and I arrived at an airport in Washington DC. Today, we return to that same airport on the eve of my swearing in as the first Somali-American in Congress.”

On the swearing in day on 3 January, Ilhan wore a hijab - becoming the first woman to wear the religious clothing in Congress - while Rashida chose a copy of the Qu’ran to swear herself in. Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi, who made history in 2007 as the first woman to hold the speaker of the House position, was able to reclaim her former title. When she joined the House in 1987, there were only 23 female members, which means women are finally getting the representation they deserve.

Source: graziame.com