KU News Release

LAWRENCE — A captivating photography exhibit on the role of women serving in the U.S. Senate will soon be on display at the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas.

The 38-photograph collection, titled “Changing the Face of Power: Women in the U.S. Senate,” documents the unprecedented role of women in the Senate, both behind-the-scenes and before the microphones. Photojournalist Melina Mara began the project in 2001, photographing the 13 women in the U.S. Senate. She continued through 2003, as their number grew to 14.

“There have only been 38 women in the entire history of the Senate, with 17 currently serving,” said Morgan Davis, senior archivist for the Dole Archive and Special Collections. “This exhibit highlights the growing influence of women in the Senate while also capturing the unique challenges they face.”

The exhibit opening will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, June 11, in the Simons Media Room at the Dole Institute. Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited. The exhibit runs through July 21.

The exhibit opened at the Smithsonian Institution in 2003 and is on loan from Humanities Texas.