Jeannette Rankin was born in Montana in 1880 and began working for
women's rights after graduating from college. At the time, women could
not vote in most states. So Rankin traveled, helping women in other states
get the vote. After women won the right to vote in her own state, she
decided to run for U.S. Congress. In 1916, Rankin became the first woman
elected to Congress. Today, women make up one-fourth of all members of
Congress-thanks in part to Jeannette Rankin.
Her focus on the state of Montana
made her more successful.
Her graduation from college made her
feel a responsibility.
Her work for voting rights involved
many different states.
Her election to Congress encouraged
other women to run.