Women's History Month: Women Serving in State Legislatures
Nevada state Sen. Pat Spearman, a retired military officer, ordained minister and majority whip, is one of 10 women serving in the state's 21-member Senate. In the Nevada House of Representatives, 28 of 42 seats are filled with women. Together, the Nevada Assembly is 60% female as compared with Arkansas' 24%.
How would politics and policy change if the majority of lawmakers were women?
The Nevada state legislature — 60 percent female since 2020 — affords one of our first opportunities to find out. The average state legislature is just 30 percent female.
In Nevada and elsewhere, a record number of women lawmakers are also serving as House Speaker, Senate President, and committee chairs. Researchers predict policy shifts will follow, including paid leave, eased contraceptive access, more action on maternal and infant mortality, and protection of the natural environment, among other priorities.
Learn more through analysis by the Pew Trust.
Contacts
Charlie Alison, executive editor
University Relations
479-575-6731,
calison@uark.edu
Headlines
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