Jeanette Rankin: The First Woman in Congress

Jeanette Rankin was not just the first woman elected to the United States Congress—she was a woman of deep conviction, a leader who stood firm in her beliefs, even when they made her unpopular. Throughout her life, she fought for women’s rights, social justice, and peace, refusing to back down from the causes she believed in. Her journey from a Montana ranch to the halls of Congress was remarkable, filled with challenges, victories, and moments of great courage.

Early Life and Education

Jeanette Pickering Rankin was born on June 11, 1880, near Missoula, Montana. She grew up on a ranch in the rugged West, where she learned the value of hard work from an early age. As the oldest of seven children, she helped care for her younger siblings and took on chores usually considered “men’s work,” such as building fences and chopping firewood. This early experience taught her independence and resilience, qualities that defined her later career.

Her parents, John and Olive Rankin, encouraged education and self-reliance. Her father was a successful rancher and businessman, while her mother, a former schoolteacher, valued learning. Jeanette attended local schools and later enrolled at the University of Montana, where she earned a degree in biology in 1902. But instead of pursuing a career in science, she felt drawn to helping people in need.

Seeking a way to make a difference, she moved east to study at the New York School of Philanthropy (now part of Columbia University). There, she trained as a social worker and began to see firsthand the struggles faced by women and children, particularly those living in poverty. Her work took her to the tenement houses of San Francisco and the settlement houses of Boston, where she witnessed injustice in many forms. These experiences would ignite a passion for reform that stayed with her for the rest of her life.

Fighting for Women’s Right to Vote

When Rankin was coming of age, women in most of the United States did not have the right to vote. They were expected to leave politics to men despite the fact that many worked, paid taxes, and contributed to their communities. Rankin believed this was unfair and began working with the suffrage movement, traveling across the country to campaign for women’s voting rights.

She became a powerful public speaker, delivering passionate speeches on street corners, in meeting halls, and at political rallies. She was known for her clear, direct style and her ability to connect with people. As she once said, “Men and women are like right and left hands; it doesn’t make sense not to use both.”

Her efforts helped secure a significant victory in 1914 when Montana granted women the right to vote. This success convinced her that if women could vote, they should also be able to hold office. With this in mind, she boldly decided to run for Congress.

Election to Congress

In 1916, Jeanette Rankin launched her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican. It was a historic moment—no woman had ever been elected to federal office. Because women could vote in Montana, she had a real chance of winning but still faced many challenges. Some people mocked the idea of a woman in Congress, while others argued that politics was no place for women.

But Rankin didn’t let the doubters stop her. She ran on a platform of social reform, promising to fight for better working conditions, child welfare, and women’s rights. She traveled across Montana, speaking directly to voters and convincing them she was the right person for the job.

When the election results came in, she had won. On April 2, 1917, she took her seat in the House of Representatives, becoming the first woman in American history to serve in Congress. It was a groundbreaking achievement, but she had little time to celebrate. The United States was on the brink of entering World War I, and she was about to face one of the most challenging decisions of her career.

A Strong Voice for Peace and Social Reform

Only a few days after taking office, Rankin faced her first significant vote: whether the United States should enter World War I. President Woodrow Wilson had asked Congress to declare war on Germany, and most lawmakers were eager to support him. But Rankin, a lifelong pacifist, believed that war would cause unnecessary suffering.

When the roll call reached her, she stood up and said, “I want to stand by my country, but I cannot vote for war.”

Her vote made headlines across the country. Some people praised her courage, while others criticized her, saying women were too emotional for politics. Despite the backlash, she refused to back down from her belief that war was not the answer.

During her time in Congress, Rankin also fought for social reforms. She introduced legislation to improve working conditions for women and children, supported measures for better healthcare, and continued advocating for women’s rights. But in 1918, she lost her re-election bid after serving just one term. Many believed her anti-war stance had cost her the seat.

Return to Congress and Opposition to World War II

Rankin remained active in politics for the next two decades, working as a lobbyist and organizer. Then, in 1940, she made a surprising comeback, winning a seat in Congress once again. World War II was raging in Europe by this time, and tensions were rising between the United States and Japan.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, and the next day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war. The vote was nearly unanimous—except for one person.

Jeanette Rankin was the only member of Congress to vote against entering World War II. She knew her decision would be deeply unpopular, but she stood by her principles. As angry colleagues surrounded her, she calmly said, “As a woman, I can’t go to war, and I refuse to send anyone else.”

The public reaction was harsh. Newspapers called her unpatriotic, and angry letters flooded her office. Realizing she had little political future left, she chose not to run for re-election.

Later Years and Lasting Legacy

After leaving Congress for the second time, Rankin did not fade into the background. In the 1960s, as the Vietnam War escalated, she re-emerged as a leader in the peace movement. At 87, she led a march of thousands of women—known as the “Jeanette Rankin Brigade”—to the U.S. Capitol to protest the war. Even in her old age, she remained fearless in standing up for her beliefs.

Rankin never married or had children; instead, she dedicated her life to activism. She lived simply, dividing her time between Montana and Georgia. She passed away in 1973 at the age of 92.

Today, Rankin is remembered as a woman of great courage and conviction. Her statue stands in the U.S. Capitol, honoring her place in history. She proved that women had a right to be in politics and that one person, standing firm in their beliefs, could make a difference.