Traditional Wear, Tears of Joy Trim Historic Congress Swear-In

Several members of the United States’ new crop of congresswomen - who notably achieved post-electoral firsts - issued powerful social, ethnic and religious statements while being inaugurated Thursday.

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Among the more than one dozen history-makers are Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland, the first Native American women in the United States Congress, who acknowledged the significance of the moment with an emotional embrace on the House floor.

Additionally, Davids - an attorney and member of the Ho-Chunk Nation - is a former mixed-martial arts fighter and the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from Kansas.

Haaland - also an attorney - is a member of the Laguna Pueblo, who previously served as the Democratic Party chair for New Mexico. Haaland represented her heritage by donning traditional clothing during the 116th Congress’ swearing-in ceremony.

“Growing up in my mother’s Pueblo household, I never imagined a world in which I would be represented by someone who looked like me. That might be because just over 50 years ago, Native Americans in New Mexico couldn’t vote.”

Michigan newcomer Rashida Tlaib also contributed to the celebration of culture, by wearing a traditional Palestinian thobe, and being sworn-in using United States founding father and third President Thomas Jefferson’s Koran.

“Throughout my career in public service, the residents I have had the privilege of fighting for have embraced who I am, especially my Palestinian roots. This is what I want to bring to the United States Congress, an unapologetic display of the fabric of the people in this country. This is why I decided to wear a thobe when I am sworn into the 116th Congress,” Tlaib explained in a past interview.

Ilhan Omar of Minnesota - a recognized Muslim, who wears a hijab - strategically wore an orange headscarf for the inauguration, after enduring various unpleasant Islam-centric comments following being elected in the United States midterms.