Jeannette Rankin: The First Woman in Congress
by Rachel Ryan, Enlight Media
In 1916, four years before women gained the right to vote nationwide, the people of Montana elected Jeannette Rankin to the U.S. Congress.
She became the first woman ever to serve at the federal level, a milestone that should be celebrated far beyond the footnotes of history. Yet Rankin’s story isn’t just about being “the first.” It’s about conviction, courage, and what it means to lead on your own terms.
Breaking Barriers Before the Vote
Rankin was born in 1880 near Missoula, Montana, the daughter of ranchers on the western frontier. After graduating from the University of Montana, she trained as a social worker in New York before throwing herself into suffrage activism across the West.
When Montana granted women voting rights in 1914, Rankin seized the opportunity. Two years later, she won a seat in Congress, which was a full four years before the 19th Amendment guaranteed the vote to women nationwide. 1
Standing Alone for Peace
Making history as the first woman in Congress wasn’t the only time Rankin broke ranks.
In 1917, just days after being sworn in, she voted against U.S. entry into World War I, saying: “I want to stand for my country, but I cannot vote for war.”
After losing her seat in 1918, Rankin spent the next two decades championing peace and social reform outside of Congress, working with organizations like the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. When she returned to Congress in 1941, after regaining her seat in Congress, she became the only member of Congress to oppose declaring war after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
These votes cost her politically and earned her fierce criticism. But they also cemented her reputation as someone who lived her values, even when it meant standing alone. 2
Why Her Legacy Still Matters
Rankin often said: “I may be the first woman member of Congress, but I won’t be the last.” 1
More than 100 years later, women make up about 28% of the U.S. House of Representatives, which is a huge leap from Rankin’s time, but still far from equality.
Her story reminds us that progress comes in steps. It takes pioneers who push forward, and it takes persistence to keep building on their legacy.
Discover More in Women Rising
Jeannette Rankin’s story reminds us that breaking barriers isn’t just about being first, it’s about shaping what comes after. Her courage, vision, and persistence paved the way for the women who followed her into leadership.
Learn more about Jeanette Rankin and uncover other overlooked women who shaped American history by adopting the Women Rising series. This collection puts forgotten voices back at the center, helping us understand the past so we can rise to change the future.
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1 https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/R/RANKIN%2C-Jeannette-%28R000055%29/
2 https://www.nps.gov/people/jeannette-rankin.htm