Sullivan: Granite State Democratic women are history makers

The Democratic women of New Hampshire are some of the most influential leaders in our state. During Women’s History Month, it is timely to reflect on the incredible strides of Granite State Democratic women and the myriad glass ceilings they have shattered.

At the forefront of our incredible, trailblazing women of the Granite State is our federal delegation. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen was only the 16th female governor in U.S. history. She was the first woman elected governor of New Hampshire, the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from New Hampshire and the first woman in the nation to serve in both capacities. As the senior senator from New Hampshire, Jeanne Shaheen has made advocating for women a top priority — not only here in New Hampshire, but across our country and throughout the global community.

Jeanne Shaheen has made defending women's reproductive rights and providing affordable childcare options for working families a top priority, in addition to ensuring we honor the trailblazers who came before us. As a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, she leads efforts globally to bring assistance to Ukraine, break down barriers to education for women in Afghanistan, and to demand justice and freedom for women bravely fighting for their futures in Iran. Granite Staters should be rightfully proud that just last month, Sen. Shaheen was part of the U.S. congressional delegation to the internationally renowned global security conference in Munich, focused on safety and security throughout the world.

Sen. Maggie Hassan was the second woman in the U.S. to be elected both a governor and U.S. senator. Of her many accomplishments, Granite Staters should be exceptionally proud of her national leadership on resources for women veterans as well as her leadership to prevent surprise medical bills – aiding working families. Finally, Congresswoman Annie Kuster who made history as the first Democrat in New Hampshire history to win major office six times in a row, has long been a national champion for women who have been victims of sexual assault.

Our powerful, history-making Democratic women go far beyond our federal representation. We have Democratic women in leadership at every level.

These women are leading the charge on the issues that Granite Staters care about the most. From reproductive health care to lowering costs, New Hampshire Democratic women are fighting for us — and they are delivering real results. From expanding Medicaid for Granite Staters to delivering tangible wins for New Hampshire parents and working families, to fighting to keep our schools safer for all of our children, Granite State Democratic women are fighting — and winning — for all of us.

As we wrap up this Women’s History Month, I want to thank the trailblazing New Hampshire women that paved our way and that continue to fight for us. We should all reflect on the strides that these women have made and continue to make, and thank the voters that gave them the opportunity.

Maura Sullivan is the second vice chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, a Marine Corps Veteran, and was Veterans Affairs assistant secretary under President Barack Obama. She lives in New Castle.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Sullivan: Granite State Democratic women are history makers