Much of the US – and indeed the rest of the world – is grappling with the prospect of another Trump presidency, but the US election has yielded some positive, progressive results.
This morning, Vice President Kamala Harris conceded defeat to Donald Trump, who will make his return to the White House as the next president of the US.
While America lost its opportunity to have a history-making president – the first Black woman to lead the country – other history-making women were voted in the US Senate and Congress, ready to continue the fight.
In her concession speech, Kamala Harris referenced an adage known as “a law of history”: “Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”
“Let us fill the sky with the light of a billion bright stars,” she said. “The light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service.”
Let’s take a look at some of those stars.
Angela Alsobrooks
In the face of racism, sexism and plenty of demeaning language thrown at her during her campaign, Democratic nominee Angela Alsobrooks was voted as the next Senator for Maryland.
She will be the first Black candidate to represent the state of Maryland and the second female Senator for the state.
“It’s remarkable to think that in two years, America will celebrate its 250th birthday,” Alsobrooks said in her victory speech.
“And in all those years, there have been more than 2,000 people who have served in the United States Senate. Only three have looked like me.
“And so, I want to salute all those who came before me, who made it possible for me to stand on this stage tonight, whose sacrifices and stories I will continue to carry with me.”
Lisa Blunt Rochester
Joining Alsobrooks in the Senate is Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester, the elected Senator for the state of Delaware. Together, Alsobrooks and Rochester will raise the number of Black women in the US Senate over the course of history to five. They will also be the first Black women to serve simultaneously in the Senate.
Rochester, the first Black person to represent Delaware in the chamber, said she didn’t run for the Senate to make history, but rather to make a difference.
“The people have spoken, and we’re bringing bright hope to the United States Senate,” Rochester said.
Sarah McBride
Another history-making moment came from Delaware, with the election of Democrat Sarah McBride to serve in the House of Representatives.
In 2016, McBride made history as the first openly transgender person to address a major party in the US at the Democratic National Convention.
Now, McBride will be the first openly transgender person to serve in Congress, easily defeating her Republican opponent, John Whalen III.
“Tonight is a testament to Delawareans that we have shown time and time again that in this state of neighbours, we judge candidates based on their ideas and not their identities,” she said.
McBride is a LGBTQIA+ activist and has a background working in human rights.
Diversity in Congress
There were other historic firsts to come out of the US election yesterday.
Democrat Andy Kim will become the first Korean American and the third youngest person elected in the US Senate. As a child of Korean immigrants, he reminded people in his victory speech that “the greatness of America is not what we take from this country but what we give back”.
Republican Bernie Moreno will also make history as the first Latino to represent Ohio in the Senate. Moreno was born in Colombia.
Abortion rights in state constitutions
Yesterday, voters in nine states were also asked whether they supported abortion rights enshrined in the state constitution and to overturn state bans on abortion.
Missouri was the first state to pass the amendment. The southern state currently only allows abortion in cases of medical emergencies, with no exemptions for rape or incest. The successful vote yesterday means the amendment will remove the ban.
Amendments to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution also passed in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland and Montana.
While voters in Nevada also approved the amendment, it will need to pass again in 2026 for it to take effect.
Abortion bans in Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota will remain, as the people voted against the amendments.