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Image: @repkclark

November 2020 has been a historical month for the United States. Not only has Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris become the first woman and woman of color to be elected Vice President of the United States, but Congresswoman Katherine Clark from Massachusetts has also been elected the new assistant Speaker of the House of Representatives. Securing this position makes Clark the second most highly-ranked Democratic woman—ever—in the House of Representatives. Here's some more information on Congresswoman Clark and what she supports.

Before being elected to Congress, Clark was a member of her hometown's School Committee 

Clark was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2013, but before that, she was on the School Committee in Melrose, Massachusetts. She was also a councilmember for the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Now, she is an advocate for expanding public education, so that students are given the tools and resources they need.

Clark voted in support of the Raise the Wage Act

In 2019, Clark expressed her support for raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, noting that over half of minimum-wage earners are women. She suggested that the passage of this act would help secure more financial equality for women—and would give increased wages to over 20 million of them.

Clark and Congressman John Lewis held a sit-in at the House of Representatives to show their support for gun control legislation

Clark befriended Congressman Lewis, who was perhaps best known for his leadership in the civil rights movement and the Selma, Alabama, marches in 1965. In 2016, Clark and Lewis became frustrated by their fellow legislators' unwillingness to enact stricter gun control legislation. They collaborated to hold a sit-in protest on the floor of the House to remind other representatives, as well as all Americans, that gun violence is still an issue and further progress must be made.

Image: @repkclark

Other causes that Clark supports include stopping cyber-harassment and creating a cleaner environment

Clark has been very clear about her intention to make the Internet—and the world—a safer and better place for everyone. She introduced a bill called the Online Safety Modernization Act to ensure that federal laws address current Internet safety issues. In 2020, she collaborated with fellow Congressman Joe Kennedy III to propose an Offshore Wind Center of Excellence in Massachusetts, which would give the state the ability to source their energy more efficiently and cleanly.

Clark and her family have an adorable rescue pup named Bodie!

Image: @repkclark

Are you inspired by Congresswoman Clark? Tell us all about it @girlslifemag!

by Ariane Faro | 12/7/2020