Kate Fultz Hollis

In January, for the first time in American history, two Black women will serve in the United States Senate at the same time. These two women double the number of elected Black women in history and are numbers 4 and 5 to ever serve. They are indeed our ancestors wildest dreams. And perhaps just a century ago, months after women got the rights to vote, and a generation or two from Slavery, too few would have imagined this moment. I celebrate these two extraordinary public servants: Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland. Their election also means that there will be a record number (5) of Black Senators serving in the Senate at the same time. They will also be joining the most racially diverse Senate in history.   When I was first sworn in 11 years ago, the Senate was the least diverse place I had ever worked by any metric – age, gender, background, and race. I am proud to continue to see this broader shift to a body that more closely reflects the America it serves.