History of Sarah McBride in Timeline

Sarah McBride is an American politician and activist, currently serving as the U.S. representative for Delaware's at-large congressional district. Previously, she served as a Delaware State Senator from 2021-2025. Prior to her time in elected office, she was the national press secretary of the Human Rights Campaign. She is the first openly transgender member of the United States Congress, and the highest-ranking openly transgender elected official in the nation.

Sections (4)

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

August 9, 1990: Sarah McBride's Birth

On August 9, 1990, Sarah Elizabeth McBride was born. She would later become an American activist and politician.

Others born on this day/year

2008: Staffer for Jack Markell's Campaign

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

2009: Graduation from Cab Calloway

In 2009, Sarah McBride graduated from Cab Calloway.

2010: Undergraduate Senate Member

In 2010, Sarah McBride became a member of the undergraduate senate where she worked on arts advocacy, the purchase of conflict-free minerals on campus and academic regulations.

2010: Staffer for Beau Biden's Campaign

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

2011: Elected President of American University Student Government

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

2011: Elected Student Body President at American University

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

2011: Cited Markell as a role model

In a 2011 interview, Sarah McBride cited Jack Markell as a particular role model.

2012: Came Out as Transgender Woman

During her last week as student body president in 2012, Sarah McBride came out as a transgender woman in her college's student newspaper, The Eagle, gaining international attention.

2012: Interned 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, specifically in the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, focusing on LGBTQ issues.

January 2013: Joined Equality Delaware's Board of Directors

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

June 2013: Legislation protecting Delawareans signed into law

In June 2013, legislation protecting Delawareans from discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression was signed into law by Governor Jack Markell, following lobbying efforts led by Sarah McBride and her family.

2013: Graduation from American University

In 2013, Sarah McBride earned a bachelor's degree from American University in Washington, D.C.

August 24, 2014: Marriage to Andrew Cray

On August 24, 2014, Sarah McBride married fellow LGBTQ rights activist Andrew Cray in a small, private wedding ceremony in Washington, D.C., officiated by Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson. He died four days later.

2014: Ranked Most Valuable Progressive in Delaware

In 2014, Sarah McBride was ranked the Most Valuable Progressive in Delaware by DelawareLiberal.net, listed in the 2014 list of the Trans 100, and named one of the fifty upcoming millennials poised to make a difference in the coming years by MIC.com.

May 2015: Jill Biden tells McBride's story

In May 2015, Second Lady Jill Biden told Sarah McBride's story in a speech, emphasizing the importance of valuing young people for who they are.

2015: Prediction of Election to High Public Office

In 2015, an article in the New Statesman predicted that Sarah McBride would be the first transgender American elected to high public office.

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 when she spoke at the Democratic National Convention.

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.

2016: Panelist at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

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 'Tomorrow Will Be Different'

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: Elected as First Transgender State Senator in U.S. History

In November 2020, Sarah McBride won her election and became 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 a state senator in the United States, becoming the first openly transgender person to achieve this milestone.

June 2023: Announced Candidacy for U.S. House of Representatives

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, as well as 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, securing the Democratic nomination.

November 2024: Won General Election to U.S. Congress

In November 2024, Sarah McBride won the general election with 58% of the vote, and became the first openly transgender member of the U.S. Congress.

2024: Run for U.S. House of Representatives

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

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.

January 2025: Praised Gaza War Ceasefire

In January 2025, Sarah McBride praised the ceasefire reached in the Gaza war.

February 7, 2025: Misgendering Incident by Rep. Mary Miller

On February 7, 2025, Rep. Mary Miller misgendered Rep. Sarah McBride by introducing her as "the gentleman from Delaware, Mr. McBride." The incident was later corrected in the congressional record.

March 11, 2025: Misgendering Incident in Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Hearing

On March 11, 2025, during a Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing, Chair Keith Self repeatedly misgendered Rep. Sarah McBride, leading to a protest by Ranking Member Bill Keating and adjournment of the hearing due to lack of quorum.