America now has more women in Congress than ever

After Tuesday's midterm elections, there will be more women in Congress than ever before in U.S. history.

Alma Adams (D-N.C.) defeated Republican Vince Coakley in a special election in North Carolina's 12th Congressional District on Tuesday. Adams will join 79 women in the House and 20 women in the Senate to become the 100th woman concurrently serving in Congress.

Adams' victory marks the first time 100 women have served in Congress at the same time. And since she was elected during a special election, she will join Congress before the swearing-in ceremony in January.

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A Gallup poll in July found that 63 percent of Americans think the U.S. would be better governed with more women in office, so Adams' election is good news for women of all parties.