Anti-Trump protests occurred across the country for 6 days straight after Trump was chosen as the President-elect Nov. 9.

Protests have erupted in many major cities in the U.S., including St. Louis, and even in foreign countries such as Germany. Many of the protesters have been students expressing concern over Trump’s comments about minorities and the effect he will have on their communities, according to CBS News. Furthermore, violence has surfaced amid reports of conflict between members of the two parties. Despite the controversy involving the election results, the 2016 election did help the U.S. make significant strides in other areas of politics that broke long-standing diversity, gender and social divisions.

    Kamala Harris, the Attorney General of California, became the first black woman to represent the California in the U.S. Senate, according to The New York Times. One of Harris’ strongest promises is to tackle policies involving immigration.

    “The issue of how we are treating our immigrants, and in particular our undocumented immigrants, is one of the most critical issues facing our country,” Harris said, according to the Los Angeles Times. “We are not going to be achieving who we say we are as a country if we attack our community members, our neighbors, our friends and our colleagues.”

    Kate Brown, a Democrat from Oregon, became the first openly bisexual governor of the state and of the country. Her policies focus heavily on banning gay-conversion therapies in school and extending protection for the transgender youth in the Oregon public school system, according to The New York Times.

    “We are at our best when we are focused on what we share in common, rather than what divides us,” Brown said, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting News.

    Ilhan Omar, a Muslim and former refugee from Somalia, became the first Somali-American lawmaker in the U.S. She won House District 60B in southeast Minneapolis with 80 percent of the vote, according to National Public Radio.

“I think I bring the voice of young people,” Omar said. “I think I bring the voice of women in the East African community. I bring the voice of Muslims. I bring the voice of young mothers looking for opportunities.”

    These major changes in the U.S. political scene are a great step for the country, according to Tiara Lashley, Secretary of of Reaching Inside Seeking Excellence, the African-American social activism group of Ladue. Lashley finds these changes beneficial because diversity in Congress will strengthen the unity among people.

    “It’s important that we have more minorities in Congress because if we don’t hear their opinions we will not be heard or understood,” Lashley said. “More minorities in Congress will help America get closer to achieving equality for everyone.”