Ahead of the 2018 elections, TIME national correspondent Charlotte Alter and video producer Diane Tsai embarked on a 10-day road trip to cover the historic wave of women congressional candidates, overwhelmingly Democrats, running for office for the first time. We drove nearly 1,000 miles — from Overland Park, Kansas to Birmingham, Michigan — meeting women who had transformed from citizen to candidate over the past two years. They were among hundreds of women who underwent personal transformations that amounted to a political shift in Congress this year.

At least 34 Democratic women were elected to Congress for the first time Tuesday night, according to Emily’s List, which works to elect Democratic women. With some votes still being counted, at least 22 first-time women candidates flipped seats that had been in Republican control, helping Democrats take back the House of Representatives for the first time in more than a decade. The last time so many new women were elected to Congress was in 1992, dubbed the “Year of the Woman,” when 24 new women were elected to the House. This year, a record total of at least 102 women (including incumbents) will serve in the House of Representatives.

In our short documentary “If She Wins,” we met five Democratic women running a competitive race to flip a Republican-held seat. Featured candidates include Sharice Davids of Kansas, Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne of Iowa, Lauren Underwood of Illinois and Haley Stevens of Michigan.

time.com/5449481/if-she-wins-documentary-first-time-congresswomen

Cast: TIME Video

Andrew gave his mother, Regina Hensley, a reason to live. We follow the pair as she fights a history of addiction and he fights an aggressive form of cancer.

Directed by Leslye Davis
Edited by Margaret Cheatham Williams

Read the story here: nyti.ms/2pAesVo

Cast: The New York Times

A gay, biracial couple is raising twins. Their own parents say they can’t do it. But they know they can raise their sons in an environment where anything is possible.

Series Producer: Margaret Cheatham Williams

Animation Director: Maya Edelman

See the series: nytimes.com/conception

Cast: The New York Times

Her daughter lost her confidence, and then her life to drugs. How does she ensure it won’t happen, again - to her granddaughter?

Series Producer: Margaret Cheatham Williams

Animation Director: Angela Stempel

See the series: nytimes.com/conception

Cast: The New York Times

He found a family in the army. After he was shot, it all disappeared. Now, he’s facing his demons to be the hero his son deserves.

Series Producer: Margaret Cheatham Williams

Animation by: Neely Goniodsky

See the series: nytimes.com/conception

Cast: The New York Times

She never told her son about what happened in their small town. After Parkland, he has trouble in public spaces. She wonders, will he ever escape his fear?

Series Producer: Margaret Cheatham Williams

Animation by: Ella Dobson

See the series: nytimes.com/conception

Cast: The New York Times

Kind. Obedient. Agreeable. Check check check. Now with two daughters of her own, she will make a new set of rules.

Series Producer: Margaret Cheatham Williams

Animation by: Lara Lee

See the series: nytimes.com/conception

Cast: The New York Times

Her child is just 1, but she knows soon he will be perceived as a “big black boy.” Can she overcome the “systems” she feels are in place to oppress her young son?

Series Producer: Margaret Cheatham Williams

Animation by: Jocie Juritz

See the series: nytimes.com/conception

Cast: The New York Times

In a small Colombian village, a mother guides her daughter through a rite of passage. Read the story here: nyti.ms/2DRJ4Jf

Directed by Guille Isa and Angello Faccini

Cast: The New York Times

Terence McKenna's theory of human evolution, animated. Featuring illustrations by Zdeněk Burian and Edward Hopper. Music by Steve Reich - Pulse youtube.com/watch?v=yzJTYbHqdTE

Cast: Jesse Yules

Tags: terence, theory, stoned, ape, mckenna, burian, edward, zdenek, hopper, jesse, yules, jessie, ewles, animated, paintings, biology, painting and history