L. Douglas Wilder (D - Richmond City) is the first African American elected to the Senate of Virginia since Reconstruction Era, 100 years after the first African Americans were elected to the body. 

Interesting Fact:  In November 1985, Wilder is the first African American to win a statewide election in Virginia as the 35th Lieutenant Governor (and therefore President of the Senate) of Virginia. 

Four years later, he becomes the first African American elected to serve as Governor of the Commonwealth. On January 13, 1990, L. Douglas Wilder is sworn in as Virginia's 66th Governor, breaking the color barrier as the first elected African American governor in United States history. 

Eva F. Scott (R - Amelia) is the first woman elected to the 40-member body.

She took the oath of office in January 1980, 60 years after women won the right to vote. She served only one four-year term, choosing not to run for reelection in 1983 when the boundaries of her Senate district changed. 

Interesting Fact: She was also the first Republican woman to serve in the Senate of Virginia. In 1981, Evelyn Hailey becomes the first Democratic woman elected to the Senate, joining Senator Scott.  They both departed the Senate at the end of their terms prior to the gaveling in of the 1984 Regular Session.  It would be another four (4) years until another three (3) female would be elected to the Senate.  Since that time, women have won election to Senate seats in each major election.

Yvonne B. Miller (D - Norfolk) is the first African American woman elected to the Senate of Virginia.  Senator Y. B. Miller took the oath of office in January 1988.

Interesting Fact: She was also the first African American woman elected to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1984.

In 1996, Senator Miller becomes the first woman/African American woman to chair a Senate Standing Committee - the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services.

Adam P. Ebbin (D - Alexandria) is the first out LGBTQ+ person elected to the Senate.

During the 2022 legislative session, Ebbin was elected Chair of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee, becoming the second out LGBTQ+ official to serve as a General Assembly Committee Chair. 

Interesting Fact: As an openly gay man, Ebbin has made history several times through his electoral success. In 2003, he became the first out LGBTQ+ person elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia General Assembly. 

Ghazala F. Hashmi (D - Chesterfield) is the first Muslim and South Asian elected to serve in the Senate of Virginia. 

Interesting Fact: Senator Hashmi worked as an educator and academic administrator for 25 years before first running for office. 

Danica A. Roem (D - Prince William) is the first openly transgender person elected to the Senate of Virginia.

Interesting Fact: Elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2017, Roem is the first openly transgender person elected to either house of the Virginia General Assembly, and upon her January 2018 swearing-in became the first openly transgender person to be elected and serve in a state legislature in U.S. history.

Upon her January 2024 swearing-in, she became the first openly transgender person to be elected and serve in both chambers of a state legislature in U.S. history.