Youngest Congresswomen

8 of the Youngest US Congresswomen in History

The United States congress was established by the new Constitution and founded on March 4, 1789. This governmental body includes the lower body (the House of Representatives) and the upper body (the Senate). Since its inception, politicians from all political parties and ideologies gather to create the laws that inform our lives. It’s responsible for conducting investigations, overseeing executive branches, and acting as the voice of the people.

For decades, congress was a collection of only men. It was the status quo. That didn’t change until 1917 when Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman to serve on the powerful body. Since then, 397 women have served within congress in some capacity. As far as we’re concerned, it was a long time coming! The injection of a new demographic includes new perspectives and fresh ideas that America was sorely lacking.

Despite the reputation that congress belonged to the old guard, we’ve seen a much-welcomed uptick in fresher faces that have added valued dialogue that generates productive debate and better ideas.

So today let’s take a look at some of the youngest congresswomen to ever occupy a seat in congress.

8. Nicole Malliotakis

Age: 41
Born: 11/11/1980
Party: Republican
District: New York’s 11th

photo source: commons.wikimedia.org

Nicole Malliotakis is the Republican successor to Max Rose and assumed office for New York’s 11th district on January 3, 2021. The constituency she answers to spans all of Staten Island and southern Brooklyn. If you’re a New York native or familiar with NY culture, you’ll know this 42-year-old politician has her work cut out for her. New Yorkers are never easy to please, difficult to impress, and make sure to let you know!

She’s the only Republican representing any area of the city in congress and just one of four female Republican elected officials in the predominantly Democratic state.

Did You Know?

Malliotakis charmed her constituents with her appeal to the cultural melting pot of New York City. She is multilingual, speaking English, Spanish, and some Greek.


7. Ilhan Omar

Age: 39
Born: 10/04/1982
Party: Democratic
District: Minnesota’s 5th

Ilhan Omarphoto source: commons.wikimedia.org

Ilhan Omar is the Democratic successor to Keith Ellison. She took congressional office in service of the Minnesota 5th district on January 3, 2019. Before taking her seat in congress, she served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019. Omar has generated a lot of publicity so far in her congressional tenure as a member of The Squad. It consists of six progressive members of the Democratic Party, all under 50-years-old.

She’s received flak for her critiques on Israel by many members of the Republican aisle. However, her liberal constituents love her for her advocation for her stances on the $15 minimum wage, universal healthcare, and student loan forgiveness.

Did You Know?

Omar’s election turned a chapter in the banning of head coverings in the U.S. House. She was the first woman to wear a hijab on the House floor. Naturally, you could imagine the sight of something unfamiliar to old school politicians resulted in some controversy that carried the undertone of discrimination.


6. Haley Stevens

Age: 38
Born: 06/24/1983
Party: Democratic
District: Michigan’s 11th

Haley Stevensphoto source: commons.wikimedia.org

Haley Stevens is the Democratic successor to Dave Trott and serves Michigan’s 11th district and covers much of Detroit’s northern and western suburbs. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and philosophy and earned a Master of Arts in social policy and philosophy.

Getting her start like many of America’s most successful politicians through political organizing in Michigan, she worked for Hillary Clinton during her 2008 presidential run until being recruited to the Obama camp once he won the primary.

Did You Know?

Stevens had worked on the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry as far back as 2009, where she also served Steven Rattner’s chief of staff.


5. Elise Stefanik

Age: 37
Born: 07/02/1984
Party: Republican
District: New York’s 21st

Elise Stefanikphoto source: commons.wikimedia.org

Elise Stefanik is the Republican successor to Liz Cheney and is the proud representative of New York’s 21st district. She was elected as chair for the House Republican Conference in May 2021 when the original incumbent, Liz Cheney, was removed due to her scathing criticisms of Donald Trump.  

Initially campaigning as a moderate, she adopted an extreme-right ideology when she became a strong supporter and defender of Trump while he dealt with the impeachment trial and the attempted election overturn.

Did You Know?

Stefanik graduated from Harvard College in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in government. She was elected Vice President of the Harvard Institute of Politics and won the Women’s Leadership Award.


4. Lauren Underwood

Age: 35
Born: 10/04/1986
Party: Democratic
District: Illinois’s 14th

photo source: commons.wikimedia.org

Lauren Underwood is the Democratic successor to Randy Hultgren and took office on January 3, 2019. The former registered nurse is in charge of the outer western suburbs of Chicago. These include Crystal Lake, Geneva, Oswego, Woodstock, and Yorkville.

Along with her degree in nursing, her thirst for knowledge was relentless enough to net her another two master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University. She worked in the Obama administration and was a senior advisor to the HHS.

Did You Know?

When Lauren was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives, she became the youngest black woman to serve in congress.


3. Kat Cammack

Age: 33
Born: 02/16/1988
Party: Republican
District: Florida’s 3rd

photo source: commons.wikimedia.org

Kat Cammack is the Republican successor to Ted Yoho and took office on January 3, 2021. Instead of the traditional route to power within congress via a heated election cycle, Cammack worked as Yoho’s Deputy Chief of Staff who would be retiring in 2020. His vacancy gave Kat the opportunity she had hoped for, and she seized it.

Cammack owns and operates an independent political consulting firm for conservatives. Since her primary win, she’s established a political action committee (PAC) that gathers donated funds from like-minded voters and weaponizes it either for or against candidates.

Did You Know?

Cammack takes a strong stance against abortion. She believes that only in extreme cases and as long as the pregnancy is in its first trimester can it be legal.


2. Sara Jacobs

Age: 32
Born: 02/01/1989
Party: Democratic
District: California’s 53rd

Sara Jacobsphoto source: commons.wikimedia.org

Sara Jacobs is the Democratic successor to Susan Davis and assumed office on January 3, 2021. Her district consists of central and eastern sections of San Diego and several eastern suburbs.

After earning her master’s degree from Columbia University, she worked for the United Nations and UNICEF. She also worked as a policy advisor for Hillary Clinton’s failed 2016 run for president.

Did You Know?

Sara Jacobs is a strong advocate for enacting solutions to slow down and rid climate change as our nation’s most imminent global threat. She says it is “one of the biggest threats facing humanity.” She calls for a zero-carbon and clean energy economy by 2030.


1. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Age: 32
Born: 10/13/1989
Party: Democratic
District: New York’s 14th

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezphoto source: commons.wikimedia.org

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest congresswoman!

AOC is the Democratic successor to Joe Crowley and assumed office on January 3, 2021. Operating under the Democratic title, she’s better defined as a member of the Progressive Party. The party has gained traction amongst the younger generation thanks to its championing of far-left ideals, which advocates for living wages, free healthcare, free college, and a free and fairer market. 

Taking advantage of her youth and inviting disposition, she’s gained favor from millions of politically interested millennials through her groundbreaking accessibility on social media. She’s played a role in opening the curtains and getting rid of the intimidating mystique that surrounds politics to educate the next generation of lawmakers.

Did You Know?

Ocasio-Cortez is a self-described Democratic Socialist. In short, it means her views on financial, educational, medical, social, and infrastructural reform are in line with former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.  

 

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