North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik has been sworn in for her third term in Congress, and she is offering advice for the women who are serving in Congress for the first time.

“When I was sworn in four years ago, I was given wise counsel by the previous youngest woman ever elected to Congress,” Stefanik said in an op-ed in the Jan. 4 USA Today. “Now, I'm proud to do the same.”

Stefanik, a Republican now living in Schuylerville, was 30 years old when she was first elected in 2014, the youngest woman in Congress in history.

“Now that the 116th Congress is sworn into office, I am proud and honored to pass along the historic distinction as the youngest woman ever elected to Congress to two dynamic, young women who surpassed my record this past election cycle,: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Rep. Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa.

She understandably felt “overwhelmed and awestruck” by the reception she received from veteran members in 2015, but one gesture stood out.

“One of the most gracious things that happened to me that week was when I opened up Politico and read a column headlined ‘How to Be Young and Female in Congress’ by former New York representative Elizabeth Holtzman, the previous youngest woman ever elected to Congress. I treasure the wise counsel that Elizabeth publicly imparted to me in that piece, and I promised myself I would do the same to the next guardian of the title ‘youngest woman ever.’

Stefanik listed five things in her op-ed she wanted to pass along to the new youngest female representatives.

“Encourage other women to beat your record,” she said. “You will be asked endlessly what it’s like to be the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. This record will become the applause line every time you are introduced in public. Savor those moments, you have earned them. But also understand that along with this record is the responsibility to encourage younger women to seek office and have the courage to step into the arena.”

She also encourages the new members to be a mentor to “women from all political viewpoints and perspectives.” She asked them to be prepared to “encourage every single one of these young girls and women, regardless of partisanship.”

Also, “Be a workhorse by proving your legislative chops.” There is not substitute for hard work.

She advises the new members that “Constituents come first.”

“Politics turns on a dime today. One year’s superstar can be the candidate who comes up short the next cycle. Always remember who sent you to Congress — your constituents.” She says there will be plenty of flattering distractions to deal with. “My advice is to only accept a few, turn most down and dig into your district. It will make you a better member of Congress.”

And be respectful but friendly to Capitol Police officers, especially those who might mistake a new young representative for an intern, staffer or spouse. “The Capitol Police are unbelievable public servants who shepherd millions of visitors to the Capitol complex annually. Thank them for their service and when they stop you, point to your pin and proudly say ‘Nope, I’m a member. The young one!’

Stefanik said she is looking forward to the advice this year’s new young women representatives give to the next batch of “youngest-ever” women in the House.

Click here to read Congresswoman Stefanik’s USA Today op-ed.