Congress declared March to be Women’s History Month in 1987. This month celebrates the roles women play in shaping American history. One woman that impacted the history of the United States is Jeannette Pickering Rankin. Rankin, a Republican, was the first woman to be elected into the United States House of Representatives, and subsequently into Congress in 1916, and again in 1940, where she was known as the Lady of the House.

 

Perhaps one of Rankin’s greatest legacies is her work in the field of peace and nonviolence.  Rankin was a pacifist throughout her life and dedicated her life to the promotion of peace. She gave 93 speeches promoting peace in 10 different states in the first half of 1937 alone. She was an admirer of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a devoted follower of Gandhi’s teachings of nonviolence. While in Congress, Rankin voted against the United States’ entry in both WWI and WWII. Although this diminished her popularity, Rankin stood firm to her principles. In 1968, Rankin led the ‘Jeannette Rankin Brigade’ to protest the United State’s involvement in Vietnam.

 

Rankin utilized her notoriety and status to lobby for peace and actively promote nonviolence. She was a founding member of the Women’s International League for

March 2009

First Woman in Congress Promotes Peace

By Salma Shukri

 

Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and the founding vice-president of the American Civil Liberties Union. Upon leaving the WILPF, Rankin formed the Georgia Peace Society and lobbied for the Women’s Peace Union. She then became involved with the National Council for the Prevention of War.

 

Rankin’s political success and her steady devotion to nonviolence make her a prominent figure in United States history. She understood that violence breeds more violence and accomplishes nothing beneficial. Rankin states, “There can be no compromise with war; it cannot be reformed or controlled; cannot be disciplined into decency or codified into common sense.”