As the new Legislature is sworn in, women politicians are entering a phase of unprecedented prominence at the state level.

State Sen. Libby Mitchell (D-Vassalboro) and state Rep. Hannah Pingree (D-North Haven) were elected as leaders of their respective chambers. Mitchell was the first woman to serve as speaker of the House, and is now the first woman to have led both chambers.

She is the third consecutive woman to serve as Senate president, preceded by Beth Edmonds (D-Freeport), who served two terms in the position, and Beverly Daggett (D-Augusta), who served one term.

Pingree is the youngest woman to serve as speaker of the house. This also marks the first time women have led both chambers at the same time. This afternoon, the Legislature will confirm Janet Mills (D-Farmington) as the first female attorney general. This isn’t the first time she’s broken a barrier. In 1980, she was elected the first female district attorney in all of New England.

As Hannah Pingree took her oath of office, her mom, Chellie Pingree sat at the front of the chamber. Chellie Pingree was just elected to Congress – becoming the first Democratic woman to serve in the U.S. House or Senate.

Maine’s Congressional delegation is no stranger to Republican women, however, as Republicans Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe and Margaret Chase Smith have all served in the Senate.