RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — In a historic election, women claimed major victories across the country. From New Jersey to Virginia, their wins signaled a shift in the nation’s political landscape.

Among these winners is Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield), who made history as Virginia’s first Indian American lieutenant governor and the first Muslim ever elected to any statewide office.

Hashmi’s victory marks a defining moment -- not only in Virginia politics, but for Muslim Americans nationwide, like Charles Turner.

"When there’s a Muslim in the room, it changes the conversation," said Turner, the executive director of the Virginia Muslim Civic League. "She represents a lot of hope for a younger generation that, at this moment, has felt kind of hopeless with our current situation."

Turner s

See Full Page