Women in office: fivefold increase in 33 years.

• Position: Statestats - Brief Article

The number of women serving in the nation's legislatures has increased fivefold since 1969 when only 301 (4 percent) of all legislators were women.

After the 2002 elections, 1,680 women (22.8 percent) of the 7,382 legislators in the United States are women. They hold 20.4 percent (404) of the state Senate seats and 23.5 percent (1,276) of House or Assembly positions.

On the national level, 73 women serve in Congress: 13 in the Senate and 60 from 27 states in the House, These are all-time highs. There are 89 women in statewide elective executive posts in 48 states: After the 2002 elections, there are five female governors; 17 lieutenant governors; eight attorneys general; 12 secretaries of state; 12 state treasurers; four state controllers; six state auditors; 10 chief education officials; three top agricultural officials; one commissioner of elections; two commissioners of insurance; one corporation commissioner; four public service commissioners...