Earlier this year,  January 3, 2013,  history was made for women and Girl Scouts everywhere when five new female leaders were inaugurated into the United States Senate!

That brought the total number of female Senators to 20, the largest proportion in history.  Of the 20 women now serving in the Senate, 14, or 70 percent, are Girl Scout alumnae.  In response, the Chief Executive Officer of the Girl Scouts of the USA, Anna Maria Chávez, said:

“Today, 14 of our alumnae have entered one of the most powerful legislative bodies in the world, clearly demonstrating that the core principles on which Girl Scouting was founded are alive and well in the 21st Century.”

Let’s say get to know these women! We’ll be spotlighting a different GS alumna in the Senate over the next few weeks!

Say Hello to Senator Susan Margaret Collins (R-ME)

Assumed Office: 1997

Born: December 7, 1952

State: Maine

Party: Republican

Senate Career: Described as one of “the last survivors of a once common species of moderate Northeastern Republican,”Collins is considered a bipartisan and centrist member of the Republican Party, and an influential player in the U.S. Senate

Quote: “As a former Girl Scout in my home town of Caribou, I have such fond memories of earning badges, and I remember how wonderful it was to learn new skills.  I especially enjoyed the two summers that I went to Camp Natarswi in Millinocket for a couple of weeks.  Now, as a U.S. Senator, I am proud to be a co-leader, along with Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), of ‘Troop Capitol Hill.'”

History Fun Fact!

The first woman senator served in 1922, but only for a single day. Rebecca Latimer Felton of Georgia, the first woman to serve in the United States Senate, took the oath of office on November 21, 1922. Having been appointed to fill a vacancy on October 3, Felton’s official service began on that date but she served only 24 hours after taking the oath. The 87-year-old Felton’s largely symbolic Senate service capped a long career in Georgia politics and journalism.