United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
Search the website

Jeannette Rankin

Black and white photograph of Jeannette Rankin, head and shoulders/tiles/collection/1/13446.xml
Download this image
Reverse of photograph with handwritten text reading, “Rankin of Montana, Rankin Montana”/tiles/collection/1/13447.xml
Download this image
Black and white photograph of Jeannette Rankin, head and shoulders
Reverse of photograph with handwritten text reading, “Rankin of Montana, Rankin Montana”
Previous Next

Date

ca. 1917

Dimensions

4 1/4 × 6 1/4 in. (10.8 × 15.9 cm)

Accession Number

PA2014.12.0022b

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

In 1917, Jeannette Rankin began her historic service as a Representative from Montana. As the first woman to serve in the U.S. Congress, Rankin used the opportunity and exposure to address women’s suffrage nationally as well as her strong opposition to war. Early in her term, she went on public record for the latter. On April 5, 1917, she stated, “I want to stand by my country, but I cannot vote for war” as she cast her no vote for declaring war on Germany.

Rights and Reproduction Information

Jump To

View Related Objects

Jeannette Rankin
Jeannette Rankin
Jeannette Rankin for Congress Window Sticker
Jeannette Rankin for Congress Window Sticker
Jeannette Rankin Lapel Pin
Jeannette Rankin Lapel Pin
Opponents of Naval Expansion
Opponents of Naval Expansion

View Related Media

Opening Day of the 65th Congress

Download

This Hearst-Pathe News footage features the opening day of the 65th Congress (1917–1919) on April 2, 1917, as President Woodrow Wilson calls Congress into special session to ask for a declaration of war against Germany. Suffrage activists escort Representative-elect Jeannette Rankin of Montana from the Sewall-Belmont House to the nearby Capitol. Speaker of the House James Clark of Missouri and Minority Leader James Mann of Illinois pose outside the Capitol, as police corral pacifist protestors on the East Front.
Source: National Archives Records Administration

View Related Exhibitions & Publications

Jeannette Rankin’s Historic Election: A Century of Women in Congress
Jeannette Rankin’s Historic Election: A Century of Women in Congress

View Related People

RANKIN, Jeannette
RANKIN, Jeannette

View Related Content

From the Blog: Rankin Centennial Series
From the Blog: Rankin Centennial Series
Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov