US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Legislative Interests and Achievements
Women in Congress had an impact on every critical piece of legislation during the Depression through the Cold War. Examine their impact in Congress during these decades in the following summary of legislative achievements.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin
Students will explore the life of Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin by critically reading primary and secondary sources to determine her worldview, political beliefs, and core values.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: 100 Years of Women in Congress
Explore the women who have served in Congress over the past 100 years.
Library of Congress
Loc: Biographical Directory of the u.s. Congress: Jeannette Rankin (1880 1973)
Offers a brief biographical sketch on Jeannette Rankin, a women's rights activist who was the first woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Jeannette Rankin (1880 1973)
This brief encyclopedia article tells the story of Jeannette Rankin who was the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and was involved in the women's suffrage movement.
US House of Representatives
Office of the Clerk: Women in Congress
A woman didn't serve in Congress until 1917. Even with this late start, women have had a profound impact on our legislative system. Read the following short synopsis and click on the interactive map that shows the number of women from...
Other
Georgia Women of Achievement: Jeannette Pickering Rankin
Biographical profile of Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Woman Suffrage Timeline (1840 1920)
A chronological timeline of important events and notable women in the American Suffrage Movement.
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: The Women's Rights Movement, 1848 1920
Many groups and women leaders worked tirelessly to advance women's rights in society, specifically the right to vote. This tireless effort paid off with the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920. Examine the early strides in the women's...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Women Pioneers on Capitol Hill
Four years before women won the right to vote, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman in Congress. Several other women followed, but women were still a distinct minority in Congress and lacked leadership roles. This short summary...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Early Congresswomen's Backgrounds
The first women in Congress paved the way for women's suffrage. Examine the backgrounds of these women to see what characteristics helped propel them to Congress.
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Legislative Interests and Achievements
Women championed many pivotal pieces of legislation in the early 1900's. They pushed for prohibition, payment of a bonus for WWI veterans, federal money for prenatal, maternal, and infant care, and many more progressive issues. The...
Other
International Museum of Women: Women, Power, and Politics: Political Firsts
A short history of women's struggle for political equality in the United States told in a series of firsts. Answers such questions as, who was the first woman to run for election to the U.S. House of Representatives, and who was the...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: 300 Women Who Changed History: Jeannette Rankin
Encyclopedia Britannica provides a biography of Jeannette Rankin (1880-1973 CE), who, in 1916, was elected to the House of Representatives from Montana, becoming the first female member of Congress.
PBS
Pbs American Experience: The Lady From Montana
On March 4, 1917, the 65th Congress convened, with one major difference: the very first congresswoman. Article discusses the political career of Jeannette Rankin.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Farewell to Isolation
President Wilson's claim, "he kept us out of war," did not last. Read about the increasing number of reasons for American to declare war against Germany. See why war was finally declared in April, 1917.
Google Cultural Institute
Google Cultural Institute: Jeannette Rankin
This visual website from Google Cultural Institute shares background information and photos about Jeannette Rankin.