Meet The Women In NC’s New Legislature

By Jordan Meadows 

Staff Writer

Women in state legislatures across the United States have made notable progress, both in terms of the number of women holding office and the influence they wield. But North Carolina’s state government still lags behind the national average in female representation.

Post-2024 election, women make up 30 percent of North Carolina’s General Assembly, with 51 women serving out of 170 members. While this marks a slight increase from 2020, it falls short of reflecting the state’s female population—51 percent.

While North Carolina’s historical progress in the number of women legislators is significant, the state still falls behind more progressive states like Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado, where women make up half or even a majority. On the other hand, North Carolina is faring better than states like West Virginia, Tennessee, and Mississippi, where female representation is much lower–less than 15 percent.

Despite these gains, leadership roles within the NC government will remain largely dominated by men. After the 2024 election, only two of the 10 Council of State positions will be held by women.

“Women, including African American women, play a critical role in shaping policies that reflect the needs of the community,” newly-elected NC state Representative Monika Johnson-Hostler (Wake) said. “Our leadership is critical in addressing issues of education, healthcare, and economic justice that are addressed with a perspective rooted in lived experience, pushing for process and equality that benefits all North Carolinians. Given that women make up 50 percent of the population, our representation is vital to ensuring a legislature that truly reflects the diversity of our state.”

On the Republican side, Sen. Amy Galey (Alamance) holds the position of Majority Whip, and Rep. Heather Rhyne (Lincoln) serves as House Freshman Leader. Meanwhile, Sen. Sydney Batch (Wake) is set to become the Senate Democratic Leader in 2025. However, the highest-ranking women in these positions are still far from achieving the leadership positions that have historically been dominated by men, such as Speaker of the House or Senate Leader.

Sarah Stevens, a Republican representing Surry in the NC House, has held the position of Speaker Pro Tempore since 2017. Meanwhile, Rep. Lindsey Prather (Buncombe), is the youngest woman currently serving in the state legislature at 36.

One area where North Carolina has seen a particularly noteworthy shift is in the increasing influence of African American women in the state legislature. As of the 2025 session, 10 African American women are serving in the NC House and 5 in the state Senate —all Democrats— making up about 9 percent of the legislature. This is nearly in line with the Black female population in North Carolina—roughly 11 percent.

At the national level, North Carolina’s Black women have also made their mark, with two reelected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024: Alma Adams (Mecklenburg) and Valerie Voushee (Durham).

North Carolina women have also shown a higher level of political engagement compared to men. In the 2024 election cycle, 51.7 percent of women voted early, compared to 41.2 percent of men. Women now make up 55.9 percent of the state’s registered voters. While this indicates a growing political power among women, it also highlights the discrepancy between their influence as voters and their representation in office.

As one of North Carolina’s newest African American female legislators, Johnson-Holster argues that to increase women’s participation in politics, we need to create a supportive environment that recognizes challenges, such as balancing family and career demands.

“It’s crucial to prioritize policies that provide the necessary support for women to run for office, including paid leave, access to affordable childcare, and fair compensation that enables women with families and those without to serve effectively without sacrificing their careers or financial stability,” Johnson-Holster said. “Additionally, creating networks of mentorship, professional development, and access to resources tailored to the needs of women in politics can empower them to take on leadership roles in the political arena.”

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