Born: June 11, 1880 (Missoula, Montana Territory)
Biography:
Jeannette Pickering Rankin, the first woman to hold federal office in the United States, was an American politician and women’s rights advocate. Born on June 11, 1880, near Missoula in Montana Territory, she played a significant role in shaping women’s history and championing various civil rights causes throughout her six-decade-long career.
Jeannette Rankin was born to Olive and John Rankin, a school teacher and a wealthy mill owner respectively. She was the eldest of six children, including five sisters and a brother. Growing up on her family ranch, Rankin learned the value of hard work and equality at an early age. Despite women’s equal contributions to frontier life, they lacked political representation and the right to vote, a fact that would drive Rankin’s lifelong commitment to women’s suffrage and women’s rights.
After graduating from high school in 1898, Rankin furthered her education at the University of Montana. In 1902, she earned a bachelor of science degree in biology. Following her studies, Rankin explored various career paths, including dressmaking, furniture design, and teaching. However, her life took a different turn when her father passed away in 1904. As the oldest sibling, Rankin took on the responsibility of caring for her younger brothers and sisters.
Driven by a passion for social change, Rankin became actively involved in activism during the Progressive Era. She focused her efforts on advocating for women’s suffrage and equal rights. Rankin played a crucial role in organizing and lobbying for legislation that granted women the right to vote in several states, including Montana, New York, and North Dakota.
In 1916, Rankin made history by becoming the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Representing the state of Montana as a Republican, she served a single term until 1918. During her first term, Rankin faced the challenging task of voicing her opposition to the declaration of war on Germany in 1917, as she remained a dedicated pacifist.
Rankin’s second term in Congress came in 1940, making her the only woman ever elected to Congress from Montana as of 2023. Her second term coincided with another world war, as she found herself opposing the declaration of war on Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Jeannette Rankin holds the distinction of being the sole member of Congress to vote against the United States’ entry into both World Wars.
Beyond her groundbreaking role as a congresswoman, Rankin played a pivotal role in advocating for women’s rights. She introduced legislation that eventually became the 19th Constitutional Amendment, granting unrestricted voting rights to women nationwide. Her tireless efforts in championing women’s suffrage earned her a place in history as a leading figure in the fight for gender equality.
Throughout her career, Rankin not only fought for women’s rights but also for a multitude of civil rights causes. She remained a dedicated social activist and sought to improve the lives of marginalized communities. Rankin’s unwavering commitment to justice and equality left a lasting impact on American society.