National Archives Special Display Commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the First Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin
Press Release · Friday, January 27, 2017
Washington, DC
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first woman elected to Congress, the National Archives presents a special display of Jeannette Rankin's credentials certifying that she was duly elected as Representative-at-large for Montana.
On display in the East Rotunda Gallery National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, through April 3, 2017. Museum hours 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Free admission. Enter on Constitution Avenue at 9th Street, NW. Metro accessible on the Yellow and Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter station.
FEATURED DOCUMENT DISPLAY
Jeannette Rankin: 100th Anniversary of the First Congresswoman
Four years before all American women were granted the right to vote by the 19th amendment, Jeanette Rankin was the first woman elected to Congress. She was sworn in on April 2, 1917. On display will be Congresswoman Rankin's credentials certifying that she was duly elected as Representative-at-large for Montana on November 7, 1916. Upon learning of her landmark election, Rankin foretold, “I may be the first woman member of Congress, but I won’t be the last.” Over the past 100 years, more than 300 women have been elected or appointed to the U.S. Congress.
The National Archives Museum’s “Featured Document” exhibit is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of Ford Motor Company Fund.
Read the “Pieces of History” Blog Jeannette Rankin: The woman who voted to give women the right to vote.
This page was last reviewed on January 27, 2017.
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