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The Seneca Nation witnessed history with the election of Tina Abrams, a voice of leadership within the Nation for decades and an elected member of the Seneca Nation Council for more than 20 years, as president. She is the first woman elected to the Seneca Nation's highest office since the Nation adopted a democratic form of government under its Constitution in 1848.
"I am humbled," said Abrams. "Seneca woman have sustained our culture and identity, and preserved our traditions throughout history. Tonight, at long last, a woman will now lead our Nation as President. This is a moment inspired by generations of strong Seneca women who came before me, and one that I hope inspires generations of Seneca women who come after me."
While the Seneca Nation is a matrilineal society, women did not have the right to vote or hold elected office for more than a century. Seneca women gained the right to vote in Nation elections following a successful referendum in 1964. They won the right to hold office a few years later.
Following today's election, women will hold all three elected Executive offices in the Seneca Nation's government for the first time.
In voting on the Nation's Allegany and Cattaraugus territories, Abrams received 1,040 votes. Nation members also elected Lenith Waterman as Treasurer with 1,053 votes and Bethany Johnson as Clerk with 1,041 votes. They will each serve two-year terms.