Jeannette Rankin

Jeannette Rankin Quote (http://www.kevinsgiles.com/notable-quotes-by-jeann ())

"Men and women are like right and left hands; it doesn't make sense not to use both," (Rankin) said suffragette, pacifist, and congresswoman Jeanette Rankin. Jeanette Rankin was the first woman in Congress and was the only member of Congress to vote against World War I and II. She inspired people by sticking up for her strong beliefs in pacifism and women's rights. She paved the way for all of the congresswomen that came after her. She did some amazing things, but she came from normal beginnings.

Jeannette Franklin came from a standard background and grew up to change what people all over America thought women could pursue as a career. She graduated the University of Montana in 1902 and became a simple elementary school teacher. That soon bored her, though, and she went to the New York School of Philanthropy, then to Washington University in 1910. Once she left the university she traveled the country supporting women's rights, including the organization that gave women the right to vote in Montana. This was the first of the many things she accomplished for women's votes.

Newspaper about Jeannette Rankin (http://barrybradford.com/jeannette-rankin-voice-pe ())

One of the pinnacles of Jeannette's life was when she was voted into Congress as the first congresswoman for the 1917-1919 term. There she voted against the war with Germany. After Congress, she worked as a secretary for the National Consumer League while supporting child and maternal health care, and regulation of hours for women workers. She also founded the Georgia Peace Society, before she got reelected into Congress in 1941-1942. She was again the only member of Congress, but now against the war with Japan. One of the last times she was in the limelight, Jeannette Rankin led the Jeannette Rankin Brigade with ".... some five thousand feminists, pacifists, radicals, students, and others, to Washington, D.C., to demonstrate against the Vietnam War," (History.com Staff). Jeannette Rankin achieved amazing feats that advanced so many causes in her lifetime, and that is why she is a hero.

A hero is courageous enough to break social standards no matter what people say, but caring enough to use their achievements for good and not only fame. They also inspire people and lead by example. By being voted into Congress, Jeannette Rankin redefined what women could choose as a profession. After all the fame, though, she continued to vote against wars, and for women's rights. She inspired women all over the country to follow their dreams, and fortified suffrage, pacifism, and feminism forever.