Over the past five decades, women's representation in the Wisconsin Legislature has grown, reflecting broader social and political progress toward gender equality.

In 1975, women held only a small fraction of legislative seats—fewer than ten in total. The following decades saw a steady climb, with notable growth during the 1980s and early 1990s, when women's participation in both the Assembly and Senate tripled.

After peaking briefly in the early 1990s, the number of women legislators leveled off and fluctuated for nearly two decades. The percentage of women hovered around 25–30% through much of the 2000s and 2010s.

Recent years, however, mark a clear upward trend. In 2025, women hold 46 seats—the highest in Wisconsin's history—representing about 37% of the Legislature. ​ Most of this growth comes from the State Assembly, though women have also increased their presence in the Senate. This places Wisconsin above the national average of 32.8% women state legislators, according to the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP).​

This trajectory highlights gradual but meaningful progress toward gender parity in Wisconsin's political leadership, underscoring both the gains achieved and the work that remains to reach equal representation.