Women under 40 are practically absent from the political arena.  EMILY’s List took time this week to announce four women, all under age 36 who are poised to become political leaders.  Meet these women:

• Tulsi Gabbard, HI-02: Tulsi has the kind of resume that puts most of us to shame: at 31, she’s already been the country’s youngest-ever elected woman state legislator, served in Iraq, and she’s an environmental advocate. Set to occupy the seat opened by Senate hopeful Mazie Hirono, Tulsi is just getting started — this rising star is one to watch.
• Kelda Roys, WI-02: An alum of the EMILY’s List Political Opportunity Program, Kelda became Wisconsin’s youngest serving woman lawmaker in 2008. A former Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, Kelda would be a fierce defender of reproductive rights in the House when we need it the most. Anti-choicers? Time to be nervous.
• Grace Meng, NY-06 : Poised to be the first Asian-American to represent New York in Congress, Grace is the youngest Asian-American elected to the New York State Legislature. Grace has already stood up to Rush Limbaugh and you can bet she’s ready to take on his Republican friends in Congress.
• Kyrsten Sinema, AZ-09: Kyrsten has been a rare voice of sanity within Arizona state politics: she led the drives that successfully defeated a same-sex marriage ban in Arizona and an anti-affirmative action movement. A tenacious advocate for veterans and a champion of choice, Kyrsten is the anti-Jan Brewer.

Check out the blog post to learn more about these phenomenal young women and how they’re going to change the face of Congress.