Asian American Women Reach A Milestone In The U.S. Senate

For the first time in history, there will be three Asian American women in the U.S. Senate in January.

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), who in 2012 became the first Asian American woman elected to the Senate, will be joined in January by two more.

On Tuesday, Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) unseated incumbent Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), and California Attorney General Kamala Harris (D) defeated Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D) to replace retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer (D).

Duckworth’s mother is from Thailand, and Harris’ mother is from India. Duckworth becomes the first Thai American in the Senate.

With her election, Harris is breaking multiple glass ceilings. She’ll be the first Indian American to serve in the Senate. She’ll also become only the second black female senator in history ― her father is from Jamaica.

All three women are part of what will likely be the most diverse Congress ever.

During her swearing-in ceremony in 2013, Hirono shrugged off her historic moment, saying, “Well, there need to be many more of us in here. I am going to make sure that happens.”