INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — As WISH-TV celebrates Women’s History month, the newscasts showcase one of Indiana’s longest-serving lawmakers in Indiana’s General Assembly history.

She opens up to us and reflects on more than 40 years in office, her challenges, and her victories. From education reform to health care policies, Sen. Vaneta Becker has played a key role in shaping legislation that impacts Hoosiers across the state.

“Women still have a long way to go, and serving the public as a public servant has been a very rewarding, yet challenging career, but I’ve enjoyed it,” said the Evansville Republican. 

Becker has served in the Indiana House from 1981 to 2005, and has served in the Senate since 2005. She’s seen the state’s political landscape evolve.

But, there are still disparities in the Senate today when it comes to the roles women play in the legislature, she says. She’s proud that there are now more women than ever enrolled in law school.

“Women still do not make in the private sector as much money as men. In the legislature, it’s the same. We don’t have as much chairwomen as maybe we should.”

Over the years, Becker has championed issues ranging from health care access to education. Some of her proudest achievements? Passing the Children’s Health Insurance Program bill, advocating for the completion of Interstate 69, and carrying the bill two years ago for funding for the Dolly Parton Imagination library, a free book gifting program for children.

Though first lady Maureen Braun is tasked with securing funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination library in 2025,  Becker is disappointed that the House and Gov. Mike Braun did not include the money in their most recent budget proposals. “I’m hoping before the end of the session that we get that back in the budget. It was only $2 million one year and $4 million the second, and that’s out of a $44 billion budget.”

As she looks back on her decades of service, Becker hopes her legacy will inspire future generations. “I would like to be remembered as a collaborator and also as someone who stuck to their principals, and their ethics and as service to their constituents.”