The women who made history at the US midterms

The Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives while the Republican Party retained its majority in the Senate in the critical midterm elections held on Tuesday, according to projections made by major United States media outlets.

As the country celebrates its victory, here are some inspirational women who just made history in the polls.

The US midterm polls: Results

>> Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

IMAGE: Democrat's Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez greets supporters at her midterm election night party in New York City. Photograph: Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 29, became the youngest woman in history to be elected to Congress. Surprisingly, a year ago, Cortez was working in a bar to help support her family.

Ocasio-Cortez shocked the establishment when she won the Democratic primary in June, unseating Republican Joe Crowley. “Women like me aren’t supposed to run for office,” Ocasio-Cortez said in one of her campaign videos. As she’s proven this cycle, it’s clear they can win.

>> Ilhan Omar

IMAGE: Ilhan Omar takes a selfie with supporters after appearing at her midterm election night party in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photograph: Eric Miller/Reuters

Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib, 42, become one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, easily winning the election in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District -- the Minneapolis-area district previously represented by Keith Ellison -- on Tuesday.

Omar, a Somali refugee who immigrated to the United States as a teenager, beat Republican Jennifer Zielinski to take Ellison’s seat, which he vacated to run for Minnesota attorney general.

>> Rashida Tlaib

IMAGE: Rashida Tlaib celebrates with family and friends at her midterm election night party in Detroit. Photograph: Rebecca Cook/Reuters

Tlaib, a Democrat from Detroit who is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, ran unopposed in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District to become one of the first Muslim women in Congress as well.

>> Kristi Noem

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump with gubernatorial candidate Kristi Noem. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Republican Kristi Noem beat out Democrat Billie Sutton in the unexpectedly close South Dakota governor’s race, and she will be sworn in next year as the first woman elected to the state’s highest office.

Noem voted in favor of Obamacare repeal, punishment of so-called sanctuary cities, and the Republican tax law while serving in the US House. She campaigned on keeping taxes low (South Dakota is one of a few states with no income tax), cutting government spending, and introducing more government transparency.

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