Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s record of women’s political representation is one of limited gains for women at both the state legislative and federal levels. At present, 26% of state legislators are women. Over a decade ago, the proportion of women serving in the state legislature was higher at 26%. While women have served in the positions of Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Attorney General, Rhode Island has yet to have a female governor, though the current Lt. Governor is a woman.
Rhode Island Firsts:
- 1983: Susan L. Farmer was the first woman elected as Secretary of State
- 2007: Elizabeth Roberts was elected the first female Lieutenant Governor
Did You Know . . .
- Representative Claudine Schneider was the first and, to date, only woman from Rhode Island to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1981 to 1991?
