Ms. Rankin is an interesting case for a few different reasons. Born in 1880 she was the daughter of a rancher and a teacher who attended college at what is now the University of Montana before graduating in 1902. She'd also attend a school for social work in New York city. It seems she was always driven to help people and to serve. She joined the suffrage movement and helped get women the right to vote in Montana and Washington state (sort of). In 1916 she chose to run for an open Congressional seat... and she chose to do so in the Republican party (the GOP).
Keep in mind this is in the early 1900's. The Republicans were still seen as the radical and progressive of the two political parties in this era (there were radicals and conservatives in both parties. Things were a little hazier then) and it's standard bearers were people like Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt (who was still immensely popular at the time). In this period, it was not inconceivable that a woman with Rankin's beliefs would choose to Campaign as a Republican.
Just as there are now anytime there is a woman running for a political office, there were misgoynistic questions about her fitness for the office. Other suffragists weren't sure if she could win and were worried her failure would harm the movement. Nevertheless she would run and eventually win. The winding twisting details of this and the intertwining plans and ideologies swirling around her is fascinating and links to the info will be provided at the end.
She campaigned as a progressive woman. A term we mostly associate with the Democrats now but in this era it was a mantle made popular by Teddy Roosevelt and she was one of the first women to champion suffrage on the national stage. She'd eventually win 2 terms in Congress though not consecutively. A live long pacifist Rankin also holds the distinction as being literally the only member of Congress to vote against the decision to enter both World Wars. She was so staunchly against violence she risked political suicide in the face of these decisions and she was attacked for this VICIOUSLY in the papers of the time. Still her convictions were strong and she held to them. I think one has to respect that.
While a member of Congress the first time, Rankin would help pass the 19th amendment to the constitution that extended to SOME women the right to vote. However, much like in Montana and Washington it's a pretty safe bet that Rankin had the blindspots that a lot of non POC suffragists of the era had in that she overlooked the needs of WOC. The 19th amendment only extended to white women and while a postiive step it was an incomplete one. Rankin felt pride in the amendment's passing but I do wonder if its shortcomings ever troubled her. She passed away in 1973 and an understanding of her thoughts on the matter would be worth scholarly pursuit.
Thus, ends our tale Ms. Rankin for the day. As always I encourage further examination and study on any and every person I profile. Tomorrow we jump backwards in time again to appreciate a woman who was a scholar of not insubstantial note and founded an impressive institution. She's also someone who until a few years ago I'd never heard of and I think that's a shame. you definitely won't want to miss this one.
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