Jane Swift

governor, MA (2001-2003)

As the first female Governor of Massachusetts, Jane Swift rose to the challenge of balancing motherhood with holding the highest-profile job in the state. In addition to being the first woman to hold her position, Swift is also the first Governor in the United States to give birth while serving in office, to twin girls. During her term in office as Governor of Massachusetts, Swift crafted a progressive public policy agenda that dramatically improved public education and enhanced economic opportunity for families and businesses. She managed a $23 billion annual budget, oversaw employment of 65,000 state workers and set strategic direction for thirteen cabinet-level agencies. She advocated for educational reform and championed solutions that provided a guaranteed college education for foster children. Swift kept tax relief a top priority by filing legislation to expand the state's Earned Income Tax Credit and supported a successful voter initiative to reduce the state income tax. Swift's career as an elected official began just three years after earning her bachelor's degree from Trinity College. At age 25 she became the youngest woman ever elected to the Massachusetts State Senate, and quickly proceeded to become the youngest woman in Senate history to hold a leadership position when she rose to the rank of Assistant Minority Leader.