First Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin

Four years before ratification of the 19th Amendment secured American women’s constitutional right to vote, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to Congress.

Political pioneer, suffragist, pacifist

Four years before ratification of the 19th Amendment secured American women’s constitutional right to vote, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to Congress. Rankin was sworn in as a representative for Montana on April 2, 1917. She served a second term in the House of Representatives in 1941.

Both of Representative Rankin’s congressional terms coincided with the country’s entry into a World War. A lifelong pacifist, Rankin has the distinction of being the only member of Congress to vote against U.S. involvement in both World War I and World War II. During her time in Congress, Rankin also made significant efforts to secure woman suffrage and pass social reforms that improved working conditions and protected women and children. 

Upon learning of her election in 1916, Rankin foretold, “I may be the first woman member of Congress, but I won’t be the last.” As of 2021, 387 women have served in the U.S. Congress.

Before being sworn in, newly elected members present “credentials” as evidence that they have been duly elected and are entitled to their congressional seat. Jeannette Rankin’s election certificate, signed by Montana Governor Sam V. Stewart and Secretary of State Adelbert Alderson, certifies that she was elected Representative-at-large for Montana on November 7, 1916. 

Jeannette Rankin’s election certificate, December 4, 1916. National Archives, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives

Related Online Resources:

To learn more about Jeanette Rankin’s life and time in Congress, visit the National Archives Pieces of History blog "Jeannette Rankin: The woman who voted to give women the right to vote."

Header image:  Group portrait of the sixty-fifth U.S. Congress in front of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., 1917-1919. (detail) Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, LC-DIG-ppmsca-13272.