Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Sarah McBride

How Sarah McBride built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Sarah McBride is an American politician and activist, currently serving as the U.S. representative for Delaware's at-large congressional district. A Democrat, she previously served as a Delaware State Senator. Prior, she was the national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign. McBride is notable as the first openly transgender member of the United States Congress and the highest-ranking openly transgender elected official in the United States.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2008: Staffer for Jack Markell's Campaign

In 2008, Sarah McBride worked as a staffer on the campaign of Jack Markell for Governor of Delaware.

2010: Member of Undergraduate Senate

In 2010, Sarah McBride was a member of the undergraduate senate.

2010: Staffer for Beau Biden's Campaign

In 2010, Sarah McBride worked as a staffer on the campaign of Beau Biden for Delaware Attorney General.

2011: Election as Student Body President at American University

In 2011, Sarah McBride was elected as the student body president at American University.

2011: Election as Student Government President

In 2011, Sarah McBride was elected president of the American University Student Government.

2012: Internship at the White House

In 2012, Sarah McBride interned at the White House, becoming the first openly transgender woman to work there in any capacity. She worked in the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs on LGBTQ issues.

January 2013: Joined Board of Equality Delaware

In January 2013, Sarah McBride joined the board of directors of Equality Delaware and became a leading advocate for legal protections and hate crime legislation for transgender Delawareans.

June 2013: Passage of Anti-Discrimination Legislation

In June 2013, legislation protecting Delawareans from discrimination based on gender identity and expression in employment, housing, insurance, and public accommodations was signed into law after Sarah McBride and her family led the lobbying effort.

April 2016: Delivered TED Talk

In April 2016, Sarah McBride delivered a TED Talk titled, "Gender assigned to us at birth should not dictate who we are."

July 2016: Speaker at Democratic National Convention

In July 2016, Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender person to address a major party convention in American history, speaking at the Democratic National Convention.

July 28, 2016: Speech at Democratic National Convention

On July 28, 2016, Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender person to speak at a national party convention when she spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, paying tribute to her late husband Andrew Cray.

2016: National Press Secretary

In 2016, Sarah McBride became the national press secretary of the Human Rights Campaign, a position she held until 2021.

2016: Panelist at HUD's GLOBE Pride

In 2016, Sarah McBride was a panelist at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's "GLOBE Pride 2016" on youth and workplace bullying.

2018: Publication of memoir

In 2018, Sarah McBride published her memoir, Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality, with a foreword by Joe Biden.

Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality

Check it on Amazon

July 9, 2019: Announced Candidacy for Delaware Senate

On July 9, 2019, Sarah McBride formally announced her candidacy for the Delaware Senate, focusing on health care and paid family and medical leave.

November 2020: Election as First Transgender State Senator

In November 2020, Sarah McBride won her election, becoming the first transgender state senator in United States history. During her first term, she successfully sponsored the Healthy Delaware Families Act.

2020: Election as State Senator

In 2020, Sarah McBride was elected as the first openly transgender state senator in the United States.

January 2021: Delaware State Senator

In January 2021, Sarah McBride began serving in the Delaware Senate, representing the state's 1st senate district.

June 2023: Announced Candidacy for U.S. Congress

In June 2023, Sarah McBride announced her candidacy to represent Delaware's at-large congressional district in the 2024 election.

August 2023: Interview with Jewish Insider

In an August 2023 interview with Jewish Insider, Sarah McBride framed herself as a staunch supporter of Israel and the U.S.-Israel relationship and a committed fighter against antisemitism.

September 10, 2024: Won Democratic Primary Election

On September 10, 2024, Sarah McBride won the Democratic Primary election for the 2024 United States House of Representatives election in Delaware, becoming the Democratic nominee.