Jeannette Rankin was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1916—four years before women were guaranteed the right to vote.
Talk about a pioneer for women’s rights. This is her incredible story.
Social Worker Turned Activist
Before she became the first woman elected to national office, Rankin was a social worker.
Frustrated that female social workers were assigned to lesser jobs, she decided that the only way she and other women could truly make a difference was to gain the right to vote and hold political office.
In 1910, Rankin found her calling campaigning for women’s suffrage in Washington state. She then returned to her home state of Montana, where she scored more victories for women’s voting rights.
What Was Her Legacy in Congress?
Rankin’s campaign work in Montana earned her the respect of men and women alike. She used her high profile to earn a seat in Congress.
She served twice, from 1917 to 1919, and then decades later, from 1941 to 1943.
Her staunch pacifism proved controversial during both terms. She felt that,
“You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake.”
She was in the minority who voted against entering World War I. Even though Rankin wasn’t the only vote against World War I, she drew the most ire, perhaps because she was a woman.
And she was the lone vote against entering World War II.
In the late 1960s, with a new wave of feminists and war protestors, Rankin rose to prominence again.
She was again an influential voice in the anti-war movement and organized some of the largest protests against the Vietnam War.
Rankin Was Unique, But Fearless Females May Run in Your Family
Rankin’s influence may even be seen in our own family histories. The census and voter list records on Ancestry are a link to the women in your family across generations.
Even just a quick search of their name could yield a treasure, like this turn-of-the-century picture of Jeannette and her sisters.
Who were the fearless women in your family tree? Find out today with a free trial of Ancestry.