Jeannette Rankin: A Trailblazer for Women in American Politics
It’s impossible to talk about American politics without talking about Jeannette Rankin. To this day, she’s a source of inspiration for breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes. Her legacy in the movement for gender equality in politics lives on and will continue to do so thanks to her courage and determination. Today, we want to look at her career and discuss how she became the first female elected to the United States Congress.
An Introduction to Jeannette Rankin
Born on a ranch in Montana in 1880, Jeannette Rankin started as a social worker in her home state and Washington. Eventually, she joined the women’s suffrage movement in 1910 and worked with many different suffrage groups. She became one of the most passionate advocates for the women’s vote on a national level.
Rankin was one of the key figures in the passage of suffrage legislation in her home state, Montana, making it one of the first states to grant women full suffrage in 1914. This achievement placed Rankin on a national stage, which would eventually lead to her historic congressional campaign.
Two years after establishing suffrage in Montana, Rankin ran for Congress as a Republican. This was a groundbreaking candidacy and, as you can imagine, it was met with opposition and skepticism. Rankin wasn’t deterred, though, and she campaigned relentlessly. Her campaign was based on women’s rights, pacifism, and social reform, which resonated with a lot of voters.
Despite the challenges, Rankin made history on November 7, 1916, by becoming the first woman elected to the United States Congress. This victory was huge not only for Rankin and her political career but also for the movement as a whole. It became a symbol in the fight for gender equality in American politics, making advocates and the public at large feel like the tides were changing for women in politics.
Jeannette Rankin’s Career in Congress
Throughout her term in Congress, Rankin advocated strongly for progressive causes. As a committed pacifist, she loudly opposed the involvement of the US in World War I and was one of 50 Congress members to vote against entering the conflict in 1917.
While she was in office, Rankin also introduced the first bill to allow women citizenship independent of their husbands and supported government-sponsored hygiene instruction regarding maternity and infancy.
When her term came to an end, Rankin continued her activism and advocacy work, focusing on pacifism and gender equality. Eventually, she ran for Congress again in 1940. She won a second term, making history by becoming the only woman to serve non-consecutive terms in Congress.
This new term in Congress was also dominated by the threat of war, this time World War II, and Rankin continued taking a pacifist stance. Rankin voted “no” to declaring war on Japan after the Pearl Harbor attack and she was condemned for that. When it came time for re-election in 1942, she decided not to run for a third term, but she would continue advocating for peace and equality until her death.
Final Words
Jeannette Rankin’s legacy is a reminder of the importance of representation and the power of individuals to affect meaningful change. Her journey from social activist to congresswoman paved the way for future generations of women to follow in her footsteps and make their voices heard in places of power.
Sources:
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jeannette-rankin-assumes-office
https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/directory/jeannette-rankin/
