When the Vermont Legislature convenes on Jan. 6, 2021, Rep. Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, is poised to become the speaker of the House. She will succeed Mitzi Johnson, who lost her seat in the Nov. 3 general election. Krowinski was first elected to the Legislature in 2012 and served most recently as the house majority leader. When not in the Legislature, she is executive director of Emerge Vermont, an organization that recruits and trains female Democratic candidates to run for political office. Krowinski previously worked as chief of staff to former speaker Gaye Symington. Krowinski will become just the fourth woman to serve as speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives: she is preceded by Johnson, the speaker from 2016 to 2020, Gaye Symington, the speaker from 2005 to 2009, and Consuela Bailey, Vermont's first female House leader, who served as speaker from 1953 to 1955.

Krowinski will become part of a historic all-female leadership team in the Legislature, joining Senate President Pro Tem-elect Becca Balint and Lt. Gov.-elect Molly Gray. "I’m so honored to be part of this point in history," says the incoming speaker. "We are modeling and showing women and young girls in this state that you have a path to be in a leadership role." Krowinski says that when groups of young girls come into the Statehouse, “my favorite thing to do is take them into the House chamber and give them all a chance to stand behind the podium and look out."

"This could be yours," Krowinski tells the girls as they peer out over the ornate chamber. "There is a path for you if you want it and if you want to lead."