Veronica Boland, the first woman to represent Pennsylvania in Congress, exemplified the early “widow’s mandate.” Although some widows who won their spouses’ seats served for several years, others only served the remainder of the husband’s term or single term. Representative Patrick J. Boland, died just before winning a primary election, and Veronica Boland filled his unexpired term in the House for two months. She received no committee assignments and made no floor speeches.
