YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – Since women gained the right to vote in South Dakota in 1918, 201 women have served in the state legislature. The first one, Gladys Pyle was elected in 1922.

The longest serving female is Jean Hunhoff of Yankton who was first elected in 2000 and has been in the House twice and the Senate once.

She says it has been about the service.

Hunhoff says she has learned a lot in her time in Pierre.

Hunhoff says you have to cooperate to be successful in the legislature.

Hunhoff, now in the House, is running this year for the state Senate seat in District 18.