June 10th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Nearly 1,000 activists and supporters from the women’s, congressional, legal, health, labor, civil rights and other communities turned out at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington on Wednesday to see the National Partnership for Women & Families honor Maryland Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski as part of the organization’s 45th anniversary celebration. 

Other honorees included U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia M. Burwell, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and PwC LLP U.S. Chairman and Senior Partner Robert E. Moritz.

The National Partnership paid special tribute to the retiring Mikulski, the longest-serving woman in congressional history, by giving her a never-before-bestowed Lifetime Achievement Award for being “nothing less than a legend” in advancing the issues that matter most to women and families. 

“For 45 years, she has been blazing a trail for women in Congress,” said National Partnership President Debra L. Ness. “From health care to reproductive rights to fair pay to child care, she has always found ways to win for women. … When she retires, Barbara Mikulski will leave a void that may never truly be filled.” 

“I never in my wildest imagination thought that I would stay this long,” Mikulski said of her time in the Senate. “I’m grateful to the people of Maryland for their continual re-election of me, and I’m grateful for all of the people who help me serve.”