Philadelphia state Rep. Joanna McClinton is the first woman to serve as speaker of the Pennsylvania House.
She ascended to the chamber's top position Tuesday following Mark Rozzi's resignation from the position.
She was elected speaker on the strength of a fresh one-vote Democratic majority.
"The state house is the people's house," said McClinton on Tuesday. "It is where policy ideas should be debated, where they can be explored, where they can be improved in committee and where they can be introduced by any member, regardless of the letter that is next to your name."
Democrats flipped a net of 12 seats in November to retake majority control after more than a decade, but their margin didn't become effective until their candidates won three special elections earlier this month.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
