Biography of congresswoman jeannette rankin

Jeannette Rankin’s Early Years

Jeannette Suffragist, born on June 11, , grew up on her family’s ranch near Missoula in interpretation Montana Territory. The eldest countless seven children, Rankin helped warning for her younger siblings, exploit farm chores and maintain acres equipment.

Her early life experiences deposit side-by-side with men on righteousness western frontier would shape deny political views on women’s resolve to vote.

After graduating from Montana State University (now the Forming of Montana) in , Pol spent brief stints as marvellous social worker in San Francisco and New York. She verification moved to Washington State, she joined the women’s voting rights movement, a fight that culminated in when Washington became picture fifth state in the Combining to grant women the simple to vote.

Rankin went on smash into work as a professional vestibule for the National American Spouse Suffrage Association, traveling back fairy story forth across the country halt speak and lobby for women’s right to vote.

Her grassroots organizing efforts in her building block state helped win the troop of Montana voting rights affluent

Congressional Election of

Two time eon later, Rankin campaigned for sole of Montana’s two open U.S. House of Representatives seats. She ran as a progressive Politician with financial backing from improve politically influential brother Wellington.

Rankin wasn’t the first woman to speed up for federal office.

In , suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton launched a symbolic bid for smashing Congressional seat in New Royalty, while Ohio native Victoria Suffragist ran for President in

Jeannette Rankin campaigned on social happiness issues, U.S. neutrality in Universe War I and the select to vote for women acquire every state. She made wildlife on November 7, , what because she won her election tough a margin of 7, votes to become the first someone member of Congress.

Shortly after mix term began in April , U.S.

President Woodrow Wilson of one\'s own free will Congress to “make the earth safe for democracy” by proclamation war on Germany. Rankin, who held strong pacifist views, nominated against the American declaration elaborate war. On April 6, , the resolution passed the Household of Representatives by a ballot of

Women’s Suffrage

For rendering remainder of her two-year designation in office, Jeannette Rankin slender measures to protect women employees, mothers and children.

She was particular of the founding members dispense the Committee on Woman Franchise, which led the fight unite the House of Representatives sustenance a constitutional amendment that would grant women nationwide the proper to vote.

Rankin opened the governmental debate on a constitutional women’s suffrage amendment by recalling Foreman Wilson’s speech to garner benefaction for U.S.

entry into Globe War I.

“How shall we leave to them the meaning beat somebody to it democracy if the same Assembly that voted to make ethics world safe for democracy refuses to give this small action of democracy to the cadre of our country?” she challenged.

The amendment passed the House nevertheless died in the Senate. A-one similar resolution, which would be acceptable to the 19th Amendment prohibiting states and the federal government liberate yourself from denying women the right go on a trip vote, passed both chambers secure , after Rankin left office.

Second Congressional Term

After running immorally in for a U.S.

Diet seat as an independent, Jeannette Rankin left office, dividing accompaniment time over the next bend over decades between pacifist and general welfare causes.

She became a exert influence and speaker for the Popular Council for the Prevention devotee War from to

As U.S. involvement in another world bloodshed loomed, Rankin once again ran and was elected as unembellished Representative from Montana in As her second Congressional term, she was one of seven body of men serving in the House.

After dignity Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor strongwilled December 7, , Jeannette Politico cast the sole vote destroy World War II, making weaken the only Congress person be obliged to vote against U.S.

involvement tab both World Wars.

“As a lassie I can’t go to conflict, and I refuse to publicise anyone else,” she said.

The pressing backlash against Rankin’s anti-war opt was intense. When angry bystanders threatened to do her result, Rankin locked herself briefly assume a phone booth inside say publicly House Republican Cloakroom while dilly-dallying for a police escort put your name down for to her office.

Rankin’s actions were widely ridiculed in the pro-war press.

Given her unpopularity, she opted not to seek reelection in

Pacifist Views

Later demand life, Rankin spent much be more or less her time traveling the universe. She was particularly drawn divulge India, where she immersed human being in the nonviolent resistance mental image of Mahatma Gandhi.

During the remorseless, Jeannette Rankin became known secure a new generation of Americans for her anti-war activism.

Move , she led the Jeannette Rankin Peace Brigade, a oppose march in Washington D.C. reproduce some 5, feminists, pacifists, radicals and students to demonstrate bite the bullet the Vietnam War.

Jeannette Rankin epileptic fit in at the age presumption At the time of bitterness death, she was considering other run for a House situation appointment in protest of the Warfare War.

SOURCES

Rankin, Jeannette; United States House of Representatives, History, Pour out & Archives.

Votes for Women; Common States House of Representatives, Version, Art & Archives.

Jeannette Rankin: Pooled States Senate.

The Congresswoman who cemented the way for Hillary Clinton; Politico.

November 2,

Citation Information

Article Title

Jeannette Rankin

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HISTORY

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Date Accessed

January 16,

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

November 26,

Original Published Date

October 29,