Tuesday was History in the United States, as women won more seats in Congress than ever before. For the most part, these women are Democrats, candidating for the first time. With at least 108 women elected, the US Congress in 2018 beats its previous record of 107 during the 2016 elections. Regarding the House of Representatives, the record is beaten with at least 96 women that won a seat. Indeed, the « lower house », is beating the previous record of 84 seats (out of a total of 435 seats). This is one of the key lessons to be learned from the midterm election. According to experts, the next Congress will feature a record number of colored women, and a record number of non-incumbent women. This surge of women in US politics is most likely to be the result of the culmination of two years of resistance to President Donald Trump – primarily led by women – following his unexpected victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016. Since the day after his inauguration, millions of women joined protests against him – a sign that the #MeToo movement was inspiring a new generation of activists.

Adeline SILVA PEREIRA

For further information:

BBC.com:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/news_women_in_congress

Forbes.com:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinavuleta/2018/11/07/a-pink-wave-the-record-number-of-women-heading-to-congress-include-fighters-founders-and-first-timers/#263478189873

CBSNews.com:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/record-number-of-women-to-serve-in-house-congress-2018-midterm-elections/

TheWashingtonPost.com:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/11/07/why-did-democrats-win-house-one-word-women/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.5b9c927c82e8

Europe1.fr:

http://www.europe1.fr/international/record-du-nombre-de-femmes-elues-a-la-chambre-des-representants-3795410