Women in the U.S. Senate, 1965-2023
% of U.S. senators who are women
| Starting date of congressional term | Share of U.S. senators who are women |
|---|---|
| 1965 | 2% |
| 1967 | 1% |
| 1969 | 1% |
| 1971 | 1% |
| 1973 | 0% |
| 1975 | 0% |
| 1977 | 0% |
| 1979 | 1% |
| 1981 | 2% |
| 1983 | 2% |
| 1985 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2% |
| 1989 | 2% |
| 1991 | 2% |
| 1993 | 6% |
| 1995 | 9% |
| 1997 | 9% |
| 1999 | 9% |
| 2001 | 12% |
| 2003 | 14% |
| 2005 | 14% |
| 2007 | 16% |
| 2009 | 17% |
| 2011 | 17% |
| 2013 | 20% |
| 2015 | 20% |
| 2017 | 21% |
| 2019 | 25% |
| 2021 | 26% |
| 2023 | 25% |
Note: Percentages are the share of women senators at the outset of each term of Congress.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of Congressional Biographical Directory data.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
