For the first time in Oregon history, most of the five statewide elected executive offices are now held by women.

When Oregon's new labor commissioner was sworn in on Monday afternoon, the state's governor and attorney general, both women, administered the oath of office.

It's significant, Gov. Kate Brown noted last week, because Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle is also a woman.

For the first time in Oregon history, most of the five statewide elected executive offices are now held by women.

"We can see these women's voices at the leadership table finally. And you'll see a different set of priorities and a true reflection of the spirit of Oregon," said Brown.

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Hoyle, a former Democratic member of the Oregon Legislature, was elected in the May primary last year, winning more votes than her two male challengers combined.

Oregonians elected five statewide officials to the executive branch: governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, and commissioner of labor and industries. The secretary of state and treasurer are men.

The swearing-in took place in the state House of Representatives, whose speaker and majority leader are both women.

Hoyle will soon be facing a big decision as head of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, known as BOLI: What to do about an investigation the agency released Thursday that found top lawmakers didn't do enough to stop sexual harassment in the Oregon State Capitol.

"(Tuesday) morning, I'm getting to work and sitting down to formulate a plan on how to address these issues," said Hoyle while talking to reporters after taking the oath to serve. "I'm going to ask about the process and the finding and figure out what we can do going forward to make sure the legislature is a safe place to work."

Hoyle said she was the victim of sexual harassment at the age of 21.

"I was a waitress in a hotel and I had one particular person who was harassing me and a lot of the other women, and I was the one who stepped forward to file the harassment claim. It was really difficult and it was not popular with all of my colleagues," Hoyle said.

She says she's even felt it in the capitol, during her years as a state representative.

"I came in 2009 and it was a different time. I was told who not to get in an elevator with, as if it's my responsibility to make sure someone didn't harass me. I have seen that culture shift considerably in which someone wouldn't be told that now. Can we do better? Absolutely. I want to make sure anyone who comes in the capitol or any workplace in Oregon can feel safe."

Hoyle promised to keep the media updated throughout the process to be more transparent.

Hoyle's predecessor, Brad Avakian, had called for the investigation of leaders in the state house — all fellow Democrats.