Mikulski is a trailblazer. Her first election was a successful run for Baltimore City Council in 1971, where she served for five years. In 1976, she ran for Congress and won, representing Maryland’s 3rd district for 10 years. In 1986, she ran for Senate and won, becoming the first Democratic woman Senator elected in her own right. She was re–elected with large majorities in 1992, 1998, 2004 and 2010.
A leader in the Senate, Mikulski is the Dean of the Women – serving as a mentor to other women Senators when they first take office. As the dean, she builds coalitions – proving that the Senate women are not solo acts, but work together to get things done.