Why We Should Remember Jeanette Rankin

“You can’t have freedom for anybody in society unless you have freedom for everybody. We women should picket everything. This is no time to be polite.” – Jeannette Rankin

Jeanette Pickering Rankin was the first female politician to win a federal office seat in the United States. Originally from Montana, Rankin served in the House of Representatives twice – first elected in 1916 and again in 1940. While serving, Rankin became the only person in Congress’s history to vote against the United States entering a World War on two occasions.

Besides her committed stand against institutional war and violence, Rankin was also a staunch supporter of gender equality. Her strong stance on suffrage made the politician a fierce advocate for women’s rights.

Rankin’s Stand on Suffrage

During the Progressive Era, Rankin became well-known as a suffragist. She organized and lobbied for legislation to be introduced to give women the right to vote in several states, including New York, North Dakota, and Montana. During her tenure in Congress, Rankin introduced legislation, that would eventually grant unrestricted rights for women across the nation to vote. In later years, this became the 19th Constitutional Amendment. Throughout her career, Rankin championed countless women’s rights and civil rights causes.

Saying No to War

Both of Jeanette Rankin’s terms served in Congress took place as the United States military was called upon to intervene in World Wars. Known as a pacifist her entire life, Rankin took a firm stand against both wars. In 1917, she became one of 50 members of the House who opposed the declaration of war on Germany. After being re-elected in 1941, she stood alone as the only Congress member to vote against the United States declaring war on Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Rankin remained firm in her opposition to violence and war and raised questions about conflict, and peace – questions which are still asked today. Despite the fact that 55 men had also voted against the war in 1917, a faction believed that Rankin’s vote was proof that women could not bear the burdens of being in national leadership. However, she had the unwavering support of many who believed in her conviction and sanctioned her position.

In her opposition to war, Rankin automatically became a representative of veterans and their rights. She considered them to be pawns in political games and as such, was the first person to introduce the GI Bill to Congress. The United States government passed the bill to help veterans guarantee benefits, such as education for discharged military personnel.

Standing Down, But Not Lying Down

The vote against war had a negative impact on Rankin’s political career and the following year she was defeated in the re-election bid. As a lifelong pacifist, Rankin was not deterred and continued to work towards peace and equality in the United States for a further 20 years. Today her actions are regarded as instrumental in changing how women were to be perceived in politics during the coming years.

Paving the Way for Women in Politics

Though not successful in her bid for re-election in the Senate in 1918, Rankin helped quell public negativity about women’s ability to serve in Congress. Having served her second term during 1941, Rankin worked alongside Margaret Chase Smith from Maine and five other women who carefully steered clear of making their gender an issue. When a male colleague referred to Rankin as “the lady from Montana,” she borrowed a line from one of her female colleagues, “I’m no lady, I’m a member of Congress.”

By the time Rankin passed away in 1973, the number of female politicians serving Congress had grown exponentially. However, prospects for women serving in the Senate still looked dismal. Margaret Chase Smith retired the same year after losing her bid for a fifth term. It took six years before a woman finally served in the Senate, and it was only in 1992 that more than two women served at the same time. Since then, there has been a steady growth in the number of female members.

Committed to Women, Children, and the Poor

Jeanette Rankin’s long and valuable career was highlighted by her deep empathy with the country’s women, children, and poor with constant demonstration of her commitment to changing the path of those in need. Her ultimate objective was to forge a much-improved political landscape for the United States and its people – one based on justice and peace. As such, Rankin tirelessly worked against oppression, giving numerous speeches at rallies and on television until she was well into her 90s.