For many years, women in the United States lived without basic rights, such as the right to vote. For over a century, thousands of women marched, petitioned, and spoke out for equal rights. One of the most outspoken advocates for women’s right to vote was Jeannette Rankin. Rankin was the first women elected to Congress, elected in a time when women still could not vote in many states. She assisted in convincing Washington, as well as her home state of Montana, to allow women to vote. However, Rankin was also an extreme pacifist, refusing to vote to support both World War I and II. Her vote made no impact on the wars- both occurred regardless- but it did make her look weak and unpatriotic as a politician and woman. The votes also made running for office again a near impossibility, leaving her unable to do more work for women’s rights on a political level. Jeannette Rankin was a strong advocate of pacifism, which had an adverse impact on both her campaign to office and the women’s rights movement she bravely fought for.
Rankin was born June 11, 1880 in Missoula, Montana. It was a time before the Nineteenth Amendment, giving women the right to vote. Jeannette’s father brought her up to be a fierce supporter of equal rights, speaking up for the Nez Perce tribe. He hated the cruel treatment of Indians and the fact that white people were pushing them off their rightful land. He also instilled the belief on Jeannette that weapons and war were pointless and could not solve anything. This spirit of pacifism held with Jeannette through her life. Her father, however, passed away when Jeannette was still young, and as she was a woman, she could not inherit and work on her father’s farm, a man’s job in this time period (Political 17-21). She did, however,inherit a sizeable sum of money from her father, giving her the opportunity to follow her dreams. Although she passed through several occupations in her life before she found her calling, Rankin ended up a women’s activist, speaking passionately and eloquently to all audiences she encountered about equal rights for all American citizens (Jeannette).
Still committed to women's suffrage, Rankin launched a political campaign to get elected to Congress in Montana. Early on, the novelty of a woman running earned her a nomination. At this time, her reputation as a suffragist assisted her efforts, winning her many votes from the women in Montana who could finally have their voices heard (Women in Congress). However, most women still could not vote, and a woman running for such a high office had to campaign much harder than any man before her. She visited all parts of Montana, giving at least one speech everywhere she went and preaching views to all who would listen. Not only did she speak of rights, but also of stricter laws on child labor and her negative opinions on the upcoming war. She promised to represent and vote for Montana, rather than the women's rights causes he grew up fighting for. With women voting for the suffragist in her and men voting for the speeches she gave as a candidate running for the bettering of Montana, Rankin won by about 7,500 votes (Bright 37-38).
Newly elected to Congress, Rankin was immediately forced to fight for her beliefs at the upcoming vote which determined if the United States would enter World War I. She had a serious dilemma on her hands- voting “no” on the war would alienate suffragists and likely turn people in Montana against her, ending her career in Congress. However, voting “yes” would go completely against her beliefs and the promises she made to Montana to keep their sons out of war. The benefits of voting “yes” seemed too strong to oppose-Rankin, as the first woman in Congress, would exemplify a strong and patriotic modern woman. Suffragists begged Rankin to vote in favor of the war, but she maintained that she was voting with Montana rather than suffragists. At the vote, her beliefs took precedence and she voted “no” along with 49 others. Rankin, however, was singled out as newspapers falsely claimed she cried or fainted during the vote. Since Rankin was a woman, these lies were taken to heart by people everywhere, reinforcing their beliefs that women did not deserve a place in politics. The negative vote spoke for itself, even without newspaper’s lies, showing the weakness of women and that they could not deal with the struggles of politics and war (Bright 44). Her actions made suffragists distance themselves from her because they did not want to be associated with such an unpatriotic figure. The head of the National American Woman's Suffrage Association, Carrie Chapman Catt, put this feeling of frustration into words: “Our Congress Lady is sure enough a joker... Everytime she answers a roll call she loses us a million votes” (Political 51). In saying this, Catt voiced the opinion of many suffragists who believed Rankin was a poor example of the modern woman, who should be brave and ready to state a strong allegiance to her country. In this way, Rankin’s pacifistic attitudes pushed suffragists back many votes and reinforced men’s stereotypical beliefs of the classic weak and emotional female.
Even with suffragists now turned against Rankin, she continued to fight hard for their cause. She introduced the Nineteenth Amendment debate to the House and rallied for its passage, saying, “How shall we explain to them the meaning of democracy if the same Congress that voted to make the world safe for democracy refuses to give this small measure of democracy to the women of our country?” Rankin was explaining that if women are not given the ability to vote, why must they obey the laws of a government they had no hand in voting for. Although this amendment died in the Senate in 1918, the next year it was passed, and put into the Constitution (Women in Congress). Rankin also worked to put an end to child labor, remembering witnessing children working their fingers to the bone in a Boston factory. She also worked on a bill to help mothers and their children work towards better health (Bright Star 47). Other goals of her term included dissemination of birth control and of public health care options for poor mothers and children, although she did not get very far into these issues (Jeannette). Rankin also immersed herself in the war effort, voting for almost all war bills, working to get payments for families of soldiers, and cooking meals for young soldiers about to enter the battlegrounds of Europe. She even sold war bonds door-to-door, although many would not answer the door for this congresswoman who voted “no” on entering the war. Rankin did all of this in hopes of a swift victory for the United States and the end to a war she was always against. It would seem, after her immense workload for the war and her huge victory in the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, Rankin would have built up enough support to get herself re-elected. However, thanks to a district change that would not bode well for a Republican like herself running for Congress, Rankin set her sights on the Senate seat, and did not even make it past the primary’s. Everyone- Republicans, suffragists, the common Montana voter- had turned against her because of the “no” she had uttered two years ago (Political 55-56).
Many years later, in 1939, the United States was again on the cusp of war. Rankin, who had been continuously fighting for peace since her time in Congress, decided to try again for re-election. She knew she could not stop World War II, but she vowed to do all she could to keep the United States out of it. With the help of younger voters in AMerica, Rankin secured a place in Congress in 1940, beating out three Republican men in the primary (Political 73). Unfortunately for Rankin, all other congresspeople sharing her opinions about the war swung in favor of it when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. This outright attack on Hawaii and the United States, coupled with Germany’s declaration of war on America, caused almost every member of Congress to vote “yes” on World War II. Jeannette stood alone, casting her vote against the war and explaining, “As a woman I cannot go to war, and I refuse to send anyone else.” Her opinion shocked Americans, who had wanted an unanimous vote in favor of the war to prove the patriotism and strength of their leaders. An outcry rose as Rankin cast her vote, and spectators hurled insults at this sixty-year-old woman. Afterwards, she received letters from many people telling her that she was a disgrace to Montana and that she should resign from office (Bright Sky 14-15). A few praised her for her bravery, although most all of them deplored her actual position and opinion. Although she did not take all of her hate mail to heart and resign, Rankin realized that it would be impossible for her to be re-elected after her second vote against a major war. Her pacifism had again injured her chances at political power (Political 77).
Rankin’s biggest downfall was easily her opinions against war. Her hatred of weapons and violence was unconditional; even an outright attack on the United States could not sway her vote to support World War II. This vote was her biggest mistake, even if she always believed she did the right thing. If she had been successful in her campaign against entering World War II, the attacks on America would likely continue and grow, forcing the country into war. In this situation, the United States would have lost valuable time fighting against Germany and the allies of Germany. This could lead to a loss for the States, leaving them much worse off than they were after a few intense years of fighting. The other negative of her vote was that Rankin lost all of her support because people everywhere had done the math and understood that war was necessary for the wellbeing of the country. Jeannette’s unrelenting pacifism lead her to make unwise decisions and cost her the support of Montana.
Rankin made great progress in the direction of women's rights.
Rankin was born June 11, 1880 in Missoula, Montana. It was a time before the Nineteenth Amendment, giving women the right to vote. Jeannette’s father brought her up to be a fierce supporter of equal rights, speaking up for the Nez Perce tribe. He hated the cruel treatment of Indians and the fact that white people were pushing them off their rightful land. He also instilled the belief on Jeannette that weapons and war were pointless and could not solve anything. This spirit of pacifism held with Jeannette through her life. Her father, however, passed away when Jeannette was still young, and as she was a woman, she could not inherit and work on her father’s farm, a man’s job in this time period (Political 17-21). She did, however,inherit a sizeable sum of money from her father, giving her the opportunity to follow her dreams. Although she passed through several occupations in her life before she found her calling, Rankin ended up a women’s activist, speaking passionately and eloquently to all audiences she encountered about equal rights for all American citizens (Jeannette).
Still committed to women's suffrage, Rankin launched a political campaign to get elected to Congress in Montana. Early on, the novelty of a woman running earned her a nomination. At this time, her reputation as a suffragist assisted her efforts, winning her many votes from the women in Montana who could finally have their voices heard (Women in Congress). However, most women still could not vote, and a woman running for such a high office had to campaign much harder than any man before her. She visited all parts of Montana, giving at least one speech everywhere she went and preaching views to all who would listen. Not only did she speak of rights, but also of stricter laws on child labor and her negative opinions on the upcoming war. She promised to represent and vote for Montana, rather than the women's rights causes he grew up fighting for. With women voting for the suffragist in her and men voting for the speeches she gave as a candidate running for the bettering of Montana, Rankin won by about 7,500 votes (Bright 37-38).
Newly elected to Congress, Rankin was immediately forced to fight for her beliefs at the upcoming vote which determined if the United States would enter World War I. She had a serious dilemma on her hands- voting “no” on the war would alienate suffragists and likely turn people in Montana against her, ending her career in Congress. However, voting “yes” would go completely against her beliefs and the promises she made to Montana to keep their sons out of war. The benefits of voting “yes” seemed too strong to oppose-Rankin, as the first woman in Congress, would exemplify a strong and patriotic modern woman. Suffragists begged Rankin to vote in favor of the war, but she maintained that she was voting with Montana rather than suffragists. At the vote, her beliefs took precedence and she voted “no” along with 49 others. Rankin, however, was singled out as newspapers falsely claimed she cried or fainted during the vote. Since Rankin was a woman, these lies were taken to heart by people everywhere, reinforcing their beliefs that women did not deserve a place in politics. The negative vote spoke for itself, even without newspaper’s lies, showing the weakness of women and that they could not deal with the struggles of politics and war (Bright 44). Her actions made suffragists distance themselves from her because they did not want to be associated with such an unpatriotic figure. The head of the National American Woman's Suffrage Association, Carrie Chapman Catt, put this feeling of frustration into words: “Our Congress Lady is sure enough a joker... Everytime she answers a roll call she loses us a million votes” (Political 51). In saying this, Catt voiced the opinion of many suffragists who believed Rankin was a poor example of the modern woman, who should be brave and ready to state a strong allegiance to her country. In this way, Rankin’s pacifistic attitudes pushed suffragists back many votes and reinforced men’s stereotypical beliefs of the classic weak and emotional female.
Even with suffragists now turned against Rankin, she continued to fight hard for their cause. She introduced the Nineteenth Amendment debate to the House and rallied for its passage, saying, “How shall we explain to them the meaning of democracy if the same Congress that voted to make the world safe for democracy refuses to give this small measure of democracy to the women of our country?” Rankin was explaining that if women are not given the ability to vote, why must they obey the laws of a government they had no hand in voting for. Although this amendment died in the Senate in 1918, the next year it was passed, and put into the Constitution (Women in Congress). Rankin also worked to put an end to child labor, remembering witnessing children working their fingers to the bone in a Boston factory. She also worked on a bill to help mothers and their children work towards better health (Bright Star 47). Other goals of her term included dissemination of birth control and of public health care options for poor mothers and children, although she did not get very far into these issues (Jeannette). Rankin also immersed herself in the war effort, voting for almost all war bills, working to get payments for families of soldiers, and cooking meals for young soldiers about to enter the battlegrounds of Europe. She even sold war bonds door-to-door, although many would not answer the door for this congresswoman who voted “no” on entering the war. Rankin did all of this in hopes of a swift victory for the United States and the end to a war she was always against. It would seem, after her immense workload for the war and her huge victory in the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, Rankin would have built up enough support to get herself re-elected. However, thanks to a district change that would not bode well for a Republican like herself running for Congress, Rankin set her sights on the Senate seat, and did not even make it past the primary’s. Everyone- Republicans, suffragists, the common Montana voter- had turned against her because of the “no” she had uttered two years ago (Political 55-56).
Many years later, in 1939, the United States was again on the cusp of war. Rankin, who had been continuously fighting for peace since her time in Congress, decided to try again for re-election. She knew she could not stop World War II, but she vowed to do all she could to keep the United States out of it. With the help of younger voters in AMerica, Rankin secured a place in Congress in 1940, beating out three Republican men in the primary (Political 73). Unfortunately for Rankin, all other congresspeople sharing her opinions about the war swung in favor of it when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. This outright attack on Hawaii and the United States, coupled with Germany’s declaration of war on America, caused almost every member of Congress to vote “yes” on World War II. Jeannette stood alone, casting her vote against the war and explaining, “As a woman I cannot go to war, and I refuse to send anyone else.” Her opinion shocked Americans, who had wanted an unanimous vote in favor of the war to prove the patriotism and strength of their leaders. An outcry rose as Rankin cast her vote, and spectators hurled insults at this sixty-year-old woman. Afterwards, she received letters from many people telling her that she was a disgrace to Montana and that she should resign from office (Bright Sky 14-15). A few praised her for her bravery, although most all of them deplored her actual position and opinion. Although she did not take all of her hate mail to heart and resign, Rankin realized that it would be impossible for her to be re-elected after her second vote against a major war. Her pacifism had again injured her chances at political power (Political 77).
Rankin’s biggest downfall was easily her opinions against war. Her hatred of weapons and violence was unconditional; even an outright attack on the United States could not sway her vote to support World War II. This vote was her biggest mistake, even if she always believed she did the right thing. If she had been successful in her campaign against entering World War II, the attacks on America would likely continue and grow, forcing the country into war. In this situation, the United States would have lost valuable time fighting against Germany and the allies of Germany. This could lead to a loss for the States, leaving them much worse off than they were after a few intense years of fighting. The other negative of her vote was that Rankin lost all of her support because people everywhere had done the math and understood that war was necessary for the wellbeing of the country. Jeannette’s unrelenting pacifism lead her to make unwise decisions and cost her the support of Montana.
Rankin made great progress in the direction of women's rights.