politics

Meet the women who claimed victory and made history in the US election.

Yesterday’s shock election of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States has left women all over the world feeling a little lost.

We thought by 2016, the world was ready for the first female president. We thought feminism was about to claim a massive victory.

Instead, we’ve been left feeling a little bit broken. But there is still cause for celebration.

Yesterday’s elections saw a number of US women claim victory in the House of Representatives, Senate and in the Gubernatorial elections.

They may not have been elected president, but each has made history in their own individual way – and that’s something to celebrate.

Kate Brown

Kate Brown
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Kate Brown. [Image via Getty]

Kate Brown became the first ever openly LGBTQI Governor to be elected in the United States.

Brown, a Democrat from Oregon, has been outspoken about her experiences in coming out in the world of politics. Her election is a massive win for the LGBTQI community.

Stephanie Murphy

Stephanie Murphy. [Image via Getty]

Stephanie Murphy, of Florida, became the first Vietnamese-American to be elected to the Congress.

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Lisa Blunt Rochester

The State of Delaware elected its first ever African American representative to Congress, with Lisa Blunt Rochester taking out a seat in the House of Representatives.

She has been outspoken about the need for equal work for equal pay.

Kamala Harris

Long Beach is ready for #ElectionDay ! Getting out the vote with @senrlara and @robertgarcialb.

A photo posted by Kamala Harris (@kamalaharris) on

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Kamala Harris, a Californian of Jamaican and Indian parents, became the second-ever black woman to serve in the Senate, and the first Indian-American Senator.

Pramila Jayapal

One more look back at election night!  _ _ #PramilaforCongress #waelex #WA07 #JoinTheMovement #PramilaJayapal

A photo posted by Pramila Jayapal (@pramilajayapal) on

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Washington elected its first ever Indian-American woman to Congress, Pramila Jayapal - after the seat had been held by Jim McDermott since 1988.

Ilhan Omar

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Ilhan Omar, a Somalian-American Muslim refugee who spent four years in a Kenyan Refugee Camp, became the first of her kind to be elected to the Minnesota State House.

Catherine Cortez Masto

Catherine Cortez Masto. [Image via Getty]

Catherine Cortez Masto became the first ever Latino Senator, elected in her home state of Nevada.

Tammy Duckworth

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Tammy Duckworth. [Image via Getty]

Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War Veteran who lost both her legs in a helicopter crash in the war, was elected Senator for Illinois.

These diverse and accomplished women may not have smashed that "highest, hardest glass ceiling", but their electoral successes are all incredible victories for women around the world.

And they need our support now more than ever.

Hear Mia Freedman, Rosie Waterland, Jessie Stephens and others debriefing about the US election on a special Mamamia Out Loud bonus episode, here: