AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) The first woman to be elected governor in Maine stressed the milestone of a woman serving as vice president in congratulating Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joseph Biden on Wednesday.

“For the first time, children across our nation can look upon a woman of color serving her country in the second-highest office in the land and know that their futures are limitless,” Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said.

Mills praised the new president for acknowledging divisions that must be healed, and said he faces difficult challenges in turning back the pandemic and restoring an economy hobbled by COVID-19.

“There is hard work ahead, but, as Americans, we are defined by our ability to rise to the challenges of our times and to create a better future for our children and grandchildren, regardless of the magnitude of the problems we face. Maine joins that challenge,” she said.