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LOUISVILLE, KY.— Montana state Senator Becky Beard, R-Elliston, and Representative Melissa Romano, D-Helena, were elected as 2024-2025 At-Large board members of the NCSL Women’s Legislative Network at the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) annual summit in Louisville, Kentucky last week.
The Women's Legislative Network of NCSL is the professional development organization that includes every female state legislator in the 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia. The network began when female legislators gathered at NCSL meetings in the late 1970s. It was formally organized in 1985 at the Annual Meeting in Seattle and later became a core program of the NCSL Foundation for State Legislatures.
As members of the Executive Board, Senator Beard and Representative Romano will assume responsibilities for the ongoing administration of the Network, for maintaining a close working relationship with NCSL, and for managing the affairs of the Network.
“This is quite an honor to have my name put forward for consideration and to be chosen for this role,” said Beard.
"I am elated to join with women across the country on the Board of the Women's Legislative Network,” said Romano. “Through the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), I've had the privilege of deepening my connections with fellow legislators in Montana and across the nation. I eagerly anticipate stepping into this leadership role and working alongside such inspiring women to advance our shared goals.”
Beard has served in the Montana Senate since 2023, and in the House from 2017 through 2022. She is a member of the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center Advisory Board and an associate member of the Rocky Mountain Stockgrowers Association. Prior to seeking state office, she was the principal of her private consulting business, Beard Environmental and Consulting Services, providing water and sewer infrastructure technical assistance for rural communities across Montana. Her volunteerism includes serving as a Girl Scout Leader and on her local school board.
Representative Melissa Romano represents House District 81 in Helena. She is a lifelong Montanan and resident of Helena, where she lives and teaches today. She began her teaching career in 2004 with the Helena School District. Romano is the 2018 Montana Teacher of the Year serving as a spokesperson and advocate for the teaching profession for the state of Montana. Romano is a recipient of the National Science Foundation’s “Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching” (PAEMST), acknowledging her accomplishments as a second-grade teacher, kindergarten teacher, fourth-grade teacher, and Instructional K-8 Mathematics Coach. Romano earned her B.A. in science and her M.S. in elementary education from the University of Bridgeport (Connecticut).
From Press Release by:
Kyle Schmauch
Communications & Policy Manager
Senate Republicans
Montana Legislature
