Curated OER
A Changing of the Guard: Traditionalists, Feminists, and the New Face of Women in Congress
Students explore the role of women as Congressional leaders. In this women's rights lesson, students identify and investigate the impact of women representatives and senators in the U.S. Legislative Branch. Comprehension questions, data,...
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.
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: Legislative Interests
The goals of third generation congresswomen were aimed at creating opportunities for women in education and the workplace. Women members continued to play a prominent part in legislation on diverse national concerns, ranging from Cold...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Changing Social and Institutional Perceptions
The problem faced by congresswomen and other women in society in post-war America was how to balance domestic responsibilities and professional life. Times were changing and congresswomen began to buck traditional congressional practices...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: Women in Congress
Great reference tool for finding information on female Members of Congress both past and current. Includes biographical profiles, images, historical essays, artifacts relating to the history of Congresswomen, and teacher resources. You...
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Barbara Jordan
As a lawyer, a congresswoman, and a scholar, Barbara Jordan used her public speaking skills to fight for civil and human rights.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Hillary Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton was the first woman to represent a major party in a U.S. presidential election, the first woman to win the Iowa Presidential Caucus, first, First Lady elected to the United States Senate, and the first female...
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Shirley Chisholm
Read about the life of Shirley Chisholm who in 1968 became the first African American woman to serve in Congress.
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...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: Change and Continuity
Women began to be appointed to more prestigious positions in Congress during the Roosevelt administration. Eleanor Roosevelt campaigned for women running for Congress which had never been done by a First Lady. Continue to read the...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: Crafting an Identity
Early congresswomen struggled with their identity in Congress. Was it better to work within the institutional channels or push a "feminist" agenda? Examine different viewpoints on this issue in the following summary.
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Recent Trends Among Women in Congress
The fourth generation of Congresswomen began to accrue the seniority and influence to advance into the ranks of leadership. Beginning in 1992, the "Year of the Woman", and culminating in the election of a woman Speaker of the House,...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Familial Connections and Political Experience
The women of the fourth generation of Congresswomen had professional and political resumes that were more evolved than those of their predecessors. Although the widow mandate remains, candidates are judged less on familial ties than on...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: Organizational Efforts
From the Women's Caucus to PAC's dedicated to electing women, Congresswomen began to organize to push their agenda's and support the election of women in government. Examine the timeline of these organizations and the needs that...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representati: Institutional Developments
The fourth generation of Congresswomen brought national attention to women's issues which helped them pass laws in the areas of health, education, and concerns in the workplace. Women held positions on key committees and had the backing...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: The Decade of Women
In 1992, American voters sent as many new women to Congress as were elected in any previ's liberation movement all played a part in the results of that historic election. Read more about the "Decade of the Women" in this summary.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Women Record Several 'Firsts' With Wins in u.s. Senate, Elsewhere
In the Senate and House women, not just women, but women with different cultural backgrounds, won seats in the 2016 election. Find out more about the historical winners of the day.
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: A Changing of the Guard
The women that paved the way for women in Congress struggled to identify their role in Congress. However, the third generation of women elected to Congress betweeen1955-1976 challenged social roles and long-standing congressional...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: New Patterns
Women elected to Congress between 1955-1976 were well-educated and often leaders in business and society. They had clear goals they wanted to accomplish that centered around issues that affected women's lives. This feminism shaped their...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Committee and Party Leadership
The women who entered office in record numbers in the 1990s soon accrued seniority in committees and catapulted into top leadership posts. Nancy Pelosi became the first woman Speaker of the House in 2002. Read about prominent...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: Crafting an Identity
Early women in Congress struggled with a fundamental question of what their role is in Congress. Were they working towards political equality for women or advocating for specific women's interests that were inherently different from men?...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: Onto the National Stage
Women gained the right to vote and began to become active members of Congress as the United States faced many challenges. Early congresswomen served during the Great Depression, WWII, and the start of the Cold War. They had a voice in...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: Member Profiles
Use this interactive search to learn about minority members of Congress through history. Click on a Congresswomen to read their biography and their committee assignments. Use the filters to search by state, leadership position, office,...