On September 9, 1947, Marion Munley won a special election to become the first woman elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from northeastern Pennsylvania. She would be re-elected eight times, and her tenure in the House was nothing short of remarkable.

Marion Munley became the first woman elected Democratic Caucus Secretary in the 300-year history of the legislature. Among her most significant legislative achievements was passage of the Equal Pay Law, which she co-authored and which bans employers from discriminating in pay on the basis of sex. After finishing her tenure as a state representative, she became the first woman to serve as the Secretary of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

To honor Marion Munley’s groundbreaking legacy, I am introducing a resolution to designate August 19, her birthday, as “Marion Munley Day” in Pennsylvania. Marion Munley left an indelible legacy, setting many precedents for women and achieving legislative victories in the pursuit of equality and fairness. Please join me in co-sponsoring this resolution to celebrate and honor the remarkable Marion Munley.