Fast Facts

This section contains historical information about women in Congressional office:

• History of Women in Congress
• Women Congressional Candidates 1976-2008

History of Women in Congress

Women Who Succeeded Their Husbands in Congress
All women who have ever been elected or appointed to fill a Congressional vacancy created by the death of their husbands.

Women in the U.S. Congress 1917-2009
Listing of each congress from the 65th through 111th, number of women serving in U.S. Senate and U.S. House by party.

Women in the U.S. Senate 1922-2009
All women who have served in the U.S. Senate, including information on how they first entered office and Senate firsts for women.

Women Congressional Candidates 1976-2008

Summary of Women Candidates for Office
Historical numbers (by year and party) of women running for U.S. Congress, selected statewide elective executive office and state legislatures.

Women Candidates for U.S. Congress 1974-2008
Numbers of women (major party candidates) nominees for U. S. Senate and U. S. House, candidates and winners (listed by seat status).

Woman vs. Woman Races - Congressional and Gubernatorial Races
List of races by year with woman versus woman candidates. 

Women Primary Candidates for U.S. Congress - Total Filed 1992-2008
Numbers of women (major party candidates) who filed, who won and lost primaries.

Women Nominees for U.S. Congress - Primary Winners 1992-2008
Numbers of women primary winners for U.S. Congress listed by state, year and party.

Women Candidates for U.S. House Seats 1976-2008
Graph of number of women candidates for U.S. House, by year, party and seat status.

Women Winners for U.S. House Seats 1976-2008 (by seat status)
Graph of number of women winners for U.S. House, by year and seat status.

Women Winners for U.S. House Seats 1976-2008 (by party)
Graph of number of women winners for U.S. House, by year and party.