Senator Dianne Feinstein, a trailblazer who broke many glass ceilings and the longest-serving female senator in history, died at 90 on September 29, 2023, while actively serving as representative for the 40 million Californians who elected her time-and-again over a record-breaking 31-year career. A champion for women in politics, her career inspired many. At the time of her election, there were only two actively-serving female senators. Today, there are twenty-five. Librarian Ms. Kelley said, “I appreciate all that Ms. Feinstein did.”
The former San Francisco mayor’s career was filled with upheaval and chaos. She first rose to power in the aforementioned position in light of the “darkest day” of her life – namely, the double assassination of her predecessor, Mayor George Moscone, and San Francisco’s first openly gay Supervisor, Harvey Milk, on November 7, 1978. Assuming the role immediately, she guided the city through a very tumultuous period before eventually shifting her gaze toward other positions. After narrowly losing the 1990 gubernatorial race to Senator Pete Wilson, she decided to enter the running for the Senate seat left in his wake. She won the following special election and got reelected in 1992 after winning with fellow Californian and female senator Barbara Boxer.
Her senate career was as storied and successful as it was long – she helped pass the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994, spearheaded a 2007 fuel efficiency law which was expanded upon by the Obama administration in 2012, and wrote the Protecting Marriage Equality bill that ensured marriage equality on a federal level. Additionally, she helped expose the CIA’s use of torture, fighting both the White House and the agency to do ‘what’s right.’ “She was an icon, a huge pioneer for women in government, and has an amazing legacy,” says history teacher Mr. Peters. Feinstein is survived by her daughter, Katherine, three stepdaughters, and seven grandchildren.
