Jeannette Rankin became the first female member of Congress in America in 1916

Amazing and weird fact about American Congress.

Jeanette Rankin became the first female member of Congress in America in 1916, four years before women were given the right to vote.

Jeannette Rankin was a Montana politician who made history in 1916 as the first woman ever elected to the United States Congress. She was also the only member of Congress to cast a vote against participation in both world wars. Unafraid to take controversial positions on several inflammatory issues, Rankin was a leader in the women’s suffrage movement and a lifelong pacifist.