Madison Kwiecinski – Editor-in-Chief 

Mvk5945@psu.edu

While we live in an era where each new election brings a new “first” for genders, ethnicities, or backgrounds, how PA Senator Amanda Cappelletti is breaking records may be surprising. Cappelletti represents the 17th district in Pennsylvania, which includes Delaware and Montgomery Counties. 

While Pennsylvania has elected Senators since 1791, never once has one of these Senators been pregnant in office. 

Cappelletti stated, “I mean this in the best way possible, there’s not a lot of firsts left for people like me, a white, straight, cisgendered woman. So that this still exists somehow does feel off in 2023.” 

Truthfully, it is strange that a Senator has never undergone a pregnancy while in office over that long period. It is a peculiar situation to navigate due to the need for precedent. 

Cappelletti has been asked numerous questions about her pregnancy, which she noted a man would never have to address when in public office. 

“Comments have been made, ‘Are you going to run for re-election again?’ or, ‘How do you run for re-election with a baby?’ It was just quite dumbfounding because the men don’t get asked those questions,” stated Cappelletti. 

These questions are incredibly frustrating as she has had her husband with her throughout this process. There is an implication in that question that people do not think she should run again with a child, which is an outrageous claim when considering the sheer number of people who have children and serve in public office while raising them. 

Despite often disagreeing with the Republican party in the legislature, Cappelletti has stated she is grateful for the kindness that has been shown to her by her republican colleagues. She was thrown a baby shower and also said she received genuine promises to assist her in any way she might need. 

“We jokingly say this is the bipartisan baby,” said Cappelletti. “It’s nice to find that humanizing aspect where now I feel like we can talk and find compromises where it’s not just the progressive Democrat versus conservative Republican mentality.” 

As no one has given birth while serving in the legislature, actual procedures are vague and uncharted regarding things such as parental leave. Cappelletti has said, “there’s no blueprint,” for this situation. 

“It’s just a constant raising your hand saying ‘Hey what happens when a Senator needs to go on maternity leave when they have a baby?’” Cappelletti stated. 

Cappelletti expressed the original shock that she was a first herself, assuming a pregnant woman would have served in the legislature by this point in history. However, according to the Vote Mama Foundation, a group that researches and advocates for mothers of young children serving in elected office, has stated mothers of children who are under the age of 18 make up only about five percent of all state lawmakers. 

Cappelletti has also been open about her and her husband’s story of trying to conceive, where they experienced two miscarriages before this pregnancy. She hopes to advocate for moms who have undergone the same harrowing experience she has had to undergo herself. 

Cappelletti co-chairs the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus and recently has spoken out in support of a bill that would guarantee a three-day long paid leave for workers who are experiencing a pregnancy loss. 

“I’m hoping with being able to speak about my story and then put forward a policy that acknowledges this, we’re creating a scenario that is more open for women and childbearing individuals to talk about their trauma.” 

Regardless, Cappelletti is making history in the legislature while using her platform to advocate for women with the same difficult circumstances.