Washington, DC – In advance of the swearing in of Alma Adams, the 100th woman to serve as a voting member of the current Congress, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

“When Alma Adams is sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives today, she will become the 100th woman to serve as a voting member of the current Congress. A century ago, women were still fighting to be guaranteed the right to vote; today is a historic milestone in the progress we have made. As a woman, a mother, and a member of Congress, I am encouraged to see more women making their voices heard and taking their seat at the table.

“However, it is also a sobering reminder of how far we have yet to go. Women comprise more than fifty percent of our nation’s population, but less than twenty percent of our elected officials in Congress. I am proud that the Democratic Party has made engaging more women in the political process a top priority, through programs like the Women’s Leadership Forum and the Democratic Women’s Alliance, but equal representation will require our continued focus and efforts. As a party, we will continue to press for that progress.”