Danielle Elkins, Kathy Haynes, Casey Dinges, Maria Lehman

In observance of Women’s History Month, the U.S. Capitol Historical Society hosted a breakfast and panel discussion about how women are changing the Senate.

Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Kirsten Gillibrand were panelists in a discussion nominated by journalist Cokie Roberts.

“Women don’t want to see each other fail, we want to see others succeed,” said Sen. Feinstein.

Collins echoed her sentiment, saying female politicians tend to be much more collaborative than their male counterparts.

Chatting about everything from caring for children while being working mothers to the 2008 presidential election, all four panelists agreed there is a common bond among women with certain issues, such as going back to work after having a baby.

Roberts praised the fact that there are 17 women in the U.S. Senate and all the panelists agreed there should be more. “My chief of staff’s seven-year-old daughter has asked before if boys could become senators,” said Collins, touching on the fact that Maine has two female senators.

Gillibrand advised those women interested in getting into politics to gain some experience first and not to start too early. Hutchison agreed and also added that grassroots campaigning is crucial.

Express Scripts, CSX Corporation and the American Society of Civil Engineers all helped put the event together.

–report and photographs by Kate Oczypok

J.J. Olsen, Annie Seiple and  Margo Dey

Pat Sarcone of Hewlett Packard and UCHS member, Cokie Roberts, Sen. Feinstein

Jeaneane Camp, Patricia Vaughan, Eileen Goulding

Sens. Feinstein and Collins

Sens. Gillibrand and Hutchison admire their statues