This image shows some members of the U.S. Congress in 1917. Can you spot Jeannette Rankin?

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She Paved the Way

March 6, 2017

Being a member of the U.S. Congress is one of our nation’s most important jobs. These elected officials meet in Washington, D.C., to make America’s laws. But for our government’s first 128 years, all of these lawmakers were men.

In 1917, a woman named Jeannette Rankin changed that. She became the first woman to serve in Congress. 

Being a member of the U.S. Congress is an important job. These elected officials meet in Washington, D.C., to make America’s laws. But for our government’s first 128 years, all of these lawmakers were men.

In 1917, Jeannette Rankin changed that. She became the first woman to serve in Congress.

The Right to Vote

At the time Rankin was elected, most women didn’t even have the right to vote. The U.S. government didn’t grant women across the country this right until 1920. But Rankin’s home state, Montana, was one of a few states that let women vote sooner. Rankin and others there convinced state officials to let women vote starting in 1914. Two years later, Rankin ran for Congress. Both men and women in Montana voted for her, and she won. 

Congress is made up of two parts—the House of Representatives and the Senate. Rankin represented her state in the House of Representatives from 1917 to 1919. She was elected to a second term in 1940.

When Rankin was elected, most women didn’t even have the right to vote. The U.S. government didn’t grant women across the country this right until 1920. But Rankin’s state, Montana, was one of a few states that let women vote sooner. Rankin and others convinced state officials to let women vote starting in 1914. Two years later, Rankin ran for Congress. Both men and women in Montana voted for her, and she won. 

Congress is made up of two parts. They are the House of Representatives and the Senate. Rankin represented her state in the House of Representatives. She served from 1917 to 1919. She was elected to a second term in 1940.

Inspiring Others

When Rankin was elected, she said, “I may be the first woman member of Congress, but I won’t be the last.” She was right. Before long, other women followed in her footsteps. Today, 104 of Congress’s 535 members are women.

When Rankin was elected, she said, “I may be the first woman member of Congress, but I won’t be the last.” She was right. Other women soon followed in her footsteps. Today, 104 of Congress’s 535 members are women. 

Courtesy of Representative Grace Meng

Representative Grace Meng (right) of New York is one of those women. She says that while it’s great that there are more women in Congress, there’s still more work to do. Even though half of the U.S. population is female, women still make up less than a quarter of Congress. Meng hopes Rankin’s story will inspire more girls to think about careers in government. “I want all kids—boys or girls—to know that the sky’s the limit,” she says. “You can do anything!”

Representative Grace Meng (right) of New York is one of those women. She says it’s great that there are more women in Congress. But she also says there is still more work to do. Even though half of the U.S. population is female, women still make up less than a quarter of Congress. Meng hopes more girls will think about careers in government. “I want all kids—boys or girls—to know that the sky’s the limit,” she says. “You can do anything!”

1932

Hattie Caraway of Arkansas becomes the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate.

1932

Hattie Caraway of Arkansas becomes the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate.

Keystone-France/Getty Images

1933

Frances Perkins is appointed secretary of labor, making her the first female member of a presidential Cabinet, or group of top advisers.

1933

Frances Perkins is appointed secretary of labor, making her the first female member of a presidential Cabinet, or group of top advisers.

Corbis via Getty Images

1969

Shirley Chisholm becomes the first Black woman in Congress.

1969

Shirley Chisholm becomes the first Black woman in Congress.

1981

Sandra Day O’Connor becomes the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court in the country. 

1981

Sandra Day O’Connor becomes the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court in the country. 

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

2007 

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi of California is appointed Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. It’s the highest position in the U.S. government ever held by a woman.

2007

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi of California is appointed Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. It’s the highest position in the U.S. government ever held by a woman.

Brooks Kraft/Getty Images

2016

Hillary Clinton becomes the first woman to be nominated by a major political party as a candidate for president.

2016

Hillary Clinton becomes the first woman to be nominated by a major political party as a candidate for president.

1. According to the text, why is being a member of the U.S. Congress so important?

2. Explain how Jeannette Rankin was elected to Congress before most women in America had the right to vote.

3. What detail from the text supports Rankin's prediction that she wouldn't be the last female member of Congress?

4. Who was another woman that was the first to hold an important job in the U.S. government? What was her job?

1. According to the text, why is being a member of the U.S. Congress so important?

2. Explain how Jeannette Rankin was elected to Congress before most women in America had the right to vote.

3. What detail from the text supports Rankin's prediction that she wouldn't be the last female member of Congress?

4. Who was another woman that was the first to hold an important job in the U.S. government? What was her job?

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