Alumni | February 11, 2011

Harvard's congressional contingent loses its lone woman, Jane Harman

The departure of Jane Harman, J.D. '69, returns the Harvard contingent's total to 31.

The contingent of Harvard matriculants in the 112th Congress totaled 35 for just over a month, until Democratic representative Jane Harman, J.D. ’69, of California, announced on February 8 that she would resign her post to become president, CEO, and director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, in Washington, D.C.

Harman had been the only woman in the Crimson congressional group since Republican senator Elizabeth Dole, M.A. ’60, J.D. ’65, of North Carolina, left office in January 2009. The Californian’s departure means that the Harvard total for the new session now stands at 34: three Republicans and nine Democrats in the Senate; two Republicans and 20 Democrats in the House.

Updated November 7, 2012: The original article failed to note the election of John Garamendi, M.B.A. ’70, Democrat of California, and Terri Sewell, J.D. ’92, Democrat of Alabama, to the 112th Congress. The numbers above have been updated to reflect their presence. After Harman's departure, Sewell became the only woman in the Harvard congressional contingent.

You might also like

A group of choir singers performs in a cathedral

The Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum reunites for a 50th anniversary tour around France.

A man in a suit waves while smiling, with greenery in the background.

He was Harvard’s quintessential people person.

Soccer player and goalkeeper Matt Freese standing in front of the net

The former economics concentrator brings his talent for crunching numbers to netminding.

Most popular

A woman with long hair stands confidently with crossed arms next to a pickup truck.

In her memoir All That's Unseen, Emilee Hackney explores religion, friendship, and home.

University Hall exterior with ornate windows and greenery.

College staff whose jobs will be changed or eliminated were notified this week.

White House and Harvard University buildings split diagonally with contrasting colors.

Harvard Weathers a Year of Turmoil

The federal government has launched unprecedented actions against the University. Here’s a guide.

Explore More From Current Issue

Undergraduate Column

For both American and international students, growing up is like learning a new language.

Black and white photo of Joseph Murray in a white lab coat sitting in an office.

Alumni Profiles

Nobel Prize recipient Joseph E. Murray dedicated much of his career to organ transplant surgery.

Katie O’Dair in academic regalia holds a ceremonial staff outdoors at a graduation ceremony.

How Katie O’Dair makes kings, comedians, and parents feel welcome on campus.