The U.S. Capitol has named two rooms after female senators for the first time ever

June 17 2022

Sen. Barbara Mikulski

The text of the resolution makes clear that these women were selected not just because they were the first or longest-serving, but because of their numerous contributions to the Senate and to the American public.

The gist:

A bipartisan group of senators, led by Sens. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., presided over the dedication of dedication rooms — S-115 and S-124 — on June 8, 2022.

The honored “trailblazing” former Senators were:

Margaret Chase Smith, R-Maine — “the first woman to win election to both the U.S. House and Senate.”

And Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., who “still holds the title of longest-serving woman in Congress after retiring in 2017 after 45 years.” She was quoted at the ceremony, saying:

"I am very grateful to have a room of my own in the United States Senate, but I want to share it with all of you and the American people."

—Former Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md

Sen. Roy Blunt remarked that, "Both senators served as committee and party leaders, and were tireless advocates for the issues they cared about."

"I hope that seeing their names on these two rooms will inspire future generations of women to follow their lead and leave their mark on Congress."

—Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.

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