WOMEN IN HISTORY - JEANNETTE RANKIN

First woman to hold federal office in the United States

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DATE OF BIRTH

June 11, 1880

PLACE OF BIRTH

Missoula County, MT

DATE OF DEATH

May 18, 1973

PLACE OF DEATH

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Jeannette Rankin attended the University of Montana and earned a degree in biology. She worked a variety of careers including teaching, seamstress and social worker before finding her true calling in the women’s suffrage movement. After her home state of Montana passed a bill granting women of the state the right to vote in 1914, Jeannette decided to run for political office. She was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1916, becoming the first woman to serve in Congress. Jeannette was an ardent pacifist.  She inspired the Jeannette Rankin Brigade which opposed the war in Vietnam. She lived a long life and remained active in the peace movement for many years.