Current Female Members of Congress in 2017: Who Served and Key Facts

Overview of Women in Congress During 2017

In 2017, the U.S. Congress included a record number of women serving in both the House and Senate as the 115th Congress (2017–2019) completed its first year. This overview summarizes verified counts, party affiliation, and state representation for female members of Congress during this period. It focuses on institutional membership rather than transient fluctuations due to appointments or special elections occurring later in the decade. The following details are drawn from public records of the Clerk of the House and the Senate Historical Office.

Total Female Membership in the 115th Congress

The following table captures the composition of women in the House and Senate at the start of the 115th Congress, with breakdowns by chamber and party. These figures reflect individuals holding office from January 3, 2017, through the remainder of that Congress, based on publicly available membership rosters.

Senate Female Membership in 2017

The Senate’s 21 women in 2017 represented a mix of senior members and new entrants to the chamber. Their party affiliation was predominantly Democratic, though Republican women also held seats. Because the Senate has 100 members total, women made up roughly one-fifth of the chamber during this Congress, a notable share in historical context but still undersrepresenting their proportion of the U.S. population.

Key Senate Context

• State diversity: Women senators in 2017 came from a variety of states, reflecting different regions and electoral contexts.
• Tenure: Experience levels varied, with some serving multiple prior terms and others in their first Senate term.
• Committee roles: Many women held assignments on major committees, contributing to policy areas including health, education, and national security.

House of Representatives Female Membership in 2017

The House included 85 female members in 2017, making women a minority but a larger bloc than in earlier decades. As in the Senate, the majority were Democrats, aligning with broader patterns of party composition among women in elected office. The House’s larger size allows for more diverse professional backgrounds and congressional district representation among women members.

Institutional Context

• Proportion of seats: Women held a substantial minority of House seats, with growth visible over prior Congresses.
• Geographic spread: Female House members represented urban, suburban, and rural districts across the country.
• Committee assignments: Women participated across legislative committees, influencing areas such as finance, armed services, and education.

Notable Patterns and Historical Context

The 115th Congress reflected continued, though uneven, growth in women’s representation in national legislative bodies. Milestones such as the first woman elected to Congress in the early 20th century set the stage for gradual increases. By 2017, women were present in both major parties and across regions, though challenges related to recruitment, fundraising, and institutional barriers persisted. Understanding these patterns helps clarify ongoing debates about representation and policy influence.

Data Limitations and Considerations

This profile is based on official roster information from the Clerk of the House and the Senate Historical Office as of the start of the 115th Congress. It does not account for changes due to later special elections, resignations, or appointments after January 3, 2017. Party affiliation reflects membership at the time of the official tally and does not incorporate shifts that may have occurred subsequently.

Research Tips and Further Reading

• Consult the Clerk of the House Membership page and the Senate Historical Office for session-specific rosters.
• Compare 2107 data with earlier or later Congresses to track trends in women’s representation.
• Review committee assignments and bill sponsorship records for insight into policy impact beyond descriptive statistics.