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 in the Delaware State Senate from 2021 to 2025 and as the national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign from 2016 to 2021. McBride is a trailblazer as the highest-ranking openly transgender elected official in the United States and the first openly transgender member of Congress.
2008: Staffer for Jack Markell's Campaign
In 2008, Sarah McBride worked as a staffer on Jack Markell's campaign in Delaware.
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2010: Staffer for Beau Biden's Campaign
In 2010, Sarah McBride worked as a staffer on Beau Biden's campaign for Delaware attorney general.
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2011: Elected President of Student Government
In 2011, Sarah McBride was elected president of the American University Student Government.
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2011: Elected Student Body President
In 2011, Sarah McBride was elected student body president at American University.
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2012: White House Internship
In 2012, Sarah McBride interned at the White House, becoming the first openly transgender woman to work there.
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January 2013: Joined Equality Delaware Board
In January 2013, Sarah McBride joined the board of directors of Equality Delaware.
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June 2013: Passage of Anti-Discrimination Legislation
In June 2013, legislation protecting Delawareans from discrimination based on gender identity and expression was signed into law, following lobbying efforts led by Sarah McBride.
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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."
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July 2016: Speaker at Democratic National Convention
In July 2016, Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender person to address a major party convention at the Democratic National Convention.
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July 28, 2016: Spoke 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 addressed the 2016 Democratic National Convention, paying tribute to her late husband Andrew Cray.
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2016: National Press Secretary
In 2016, Sarah McBride became the national press secretary of the Human Rights Campaign.
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2016: Panelist at HUD's GLOBE Pride 2016
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.
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2018: Publication of Memoir
In 2018, Sarah McBride published her memoir, "Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality,".
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July 9, 2019: Announced Candidacy for Delaware Senate
On July 9, 2019, Sarah McBride formally announced her candidacy for the Delaware Senate.
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November 2020: Elected as First Transgender State Senator
In November 2020, Sarah McBride won her election, becoming the first transgender state senator in United States history.
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2020: First Openly Transgender State Senator
In 2020, Sarah McBride was elected as the first openly transgender person to serve as a state senator in the United States.
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January 2021: Delaware State Senator
In January 2021, Sarah McBride began serving in the Delaware Senate, representing the state's 1st senate district.
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June 2023: Announced Candidacy for Congress
In June 2023, Sarah McBride announced her candidacy to represent Delaware's at-large congressional district.
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September 10, 2024: Won Democratic Primary Election
On September 10, 2024, Sarah McBride won the Democratic Primary election for the United States House of Representatives election in Delaware.
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November 2024: Won general election
In November 2024, Sarah McBride won the general election for the United States House of Representatives election in Delaware.
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2024: Campaign for US Congress
In 2024, Sarah McBride campaigned for the U.S. House of Representatives.
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January 3, 2025: Became first openly transgender member of U.S. Congress
On January 3, 2025, Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender member of the U.S. Congress.
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January 2025: End of Delaware Senate term
In January 2025, Sarah McBride's term in the Delaware State Senate ended.
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