Monday marks a historic milestone for the california state legislature, as the largest group of women legislators in the state’s history is sworn in. Women will make up 49% of its members.
A record 59 women will serve in the upcoming session—double the number from just seven years ago, according to close the gap california, a nonprofit that helps progressive women run for office.
“california women leaders have driven key legislation to defend freedoms and protect communities, especially during the trump presidency,” said susannah delano, the group’s executive director. “with twice as many women in the legislature by 2025, I’m confident they’ll rise to meet future challenges.”
Nationally, gender parity remains rare. Only three states—colorado, new mexico, and nevada—are on track to have equal representation of men and women in their legislatures after november’s election, according to rutgers university’s center for american women in politics.