Making HERstory: Women Lawmakers in Maryland

March is Women's History Month.  With that in mind we've decided to take a look women legislators in Maryland - the history, the make up, the causes they champion, and how Maryland stacks up to the rest of the country in representation by women.

According to the website of the Women Legislators of Maryland, Maryland is rich with history of powerful women making a difference in Maryland politics.  In fact, in 1648 Margaret Brent, a representative to Lord Baltimore, was the first women in recorded history to demand the right to vote.   It would be another 273 years before women were granted sufferage and almost immediately after women began represent Marylanders in the Maryland General Assembly.  Mary Eliza Watters Risteau was the first woman to serve in the House of Delegates, as well as the State Senate.  Since then, many women have followed, including the first African-American Delegates in 1958, Verda F. Welcome and Irma George Dixon. 

Today, women make up 31% of the Maryland General Assembly - that's significantly above the nationwide average of only 23% (National Foundation for Women Legislators).  Maryland's female representation is actually among the top ten largest in the country.  Women make up 23% of the Maryland Senate and 33% of the House of Delegates.  Of the 58 women legislators, 78% are Democrats and 22% are Republicans.

So, what makes a woman legislator different from her male counterpart?  Other than the obvious, women legislators tend to introduce and champion legislation that effects women.  In 2010, the Maryland Women's Caucus introduced 14 pieces of legislation that addressed human trafficking, child support, sexual abuse, among others, successfully passing 57% of the bills they supported.



Senator Catherine Pugh

Senator Catherine Pugh is a legislator from Baltimore City.  Senator Pugh is also First Vice President of the Women Legislators of Maryland, a non-profit made of up women legislators dedicated to improving public policy that affects women.  Senator Pugh recently introduced Senate Bill 126, legislation to create a women and children's center in her district.  “It is important as women legislators that we advance the rights of women.  We must also remember our history for all of us are here due in part to women who have come before us.  The greatest honor we can bestow upon them is creating good public policy that helps all Marylanders.” Said Senator Catherine Pugh.

Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Ricco

Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Ricco represents Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, and Wicomico Counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore.  Delegate Haddaway-Ricco is the Minority Whip and President Elect of the Women Legislators of Maryland.  This session Delegate Haddaway-Ricco introduced House Bill 804  - legislation that would require a special notation be made on the licenses of registered sex-offenders in Maryland.   Said Delegate Haddaway-Ricco, I'm proud to introduce and support legislation that protects women, families, and children and the Women's Caucus provides an excellent forum for those policies.  Women are making incredible strides in Maryland politics thanks in part to strong, hard-working female legislators that have served before us.  As a young, female legislator I feel very privileged to serve the public in this capacity and be part of Maryland history in the making."

Senator Pugh and Delegate Haddaway-Ricco are just two of 58 powerful women representing all corners of the State and developing policy that advances women's rights.  The MAIF Policy and Communications Department is grateful that Maryland is one of the most forward-thinking States in the Union when it comes female represenation in our State government.  If you'd like to learn more about women working in goverment, check out this website from the National Council of State Legislatures.