Jeannette Rankin

Hello! My name is Jeannette Rankin. I want to tell you my story. I was born a long time ago, on June 11th, 1880, on my family’s ranch near Missoula, Montana. Growing up, I loved riding horses and helping with chores. I noticed that my mother worked just as hard as my father, but when it was time to vote for leaders, only men were allowed to. That didn't seem fair to me at all, and I decided that one day, I would help change things.

When I grew up, I became something called a 'suffragist.' That's a big word for someone who works to get women the right to vote. I traveled all over, giving speeches and talking to people about why it was so important for everyone's voice to be heard. It was hard work, but in 1914, we did it! The women in my home state of Montana won the right to vote. I was so proud of what we had accomplished together.

Just two years later, in 1916, something amazing happened. The people of Montana elected me to the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. I was the very first woman in the history of the United States to be elected to Congress! Can you imagine? I walked into a room full of men, ready to help make laws for our country. I wanted to show everyone that a woman could do the job just as well as anyone.

One of the most important beliefs I had was in peace. I thought that countries should find ways to solve their problems without fighting. In 1917, I had to make a very big decision and voted against the United States entering a big fight called World War I. Many years later, in 1941, I was the only person in all of Congress to vote against entering another war, World War II. It wasn't always a popular choice, but I always stood up for what I believed in my heart was right.

I spent the rest of my life working for peace and for the rights of women and children. I lived to be 92 years old. Today, people remember me as the woman who opened the door for all the other women who would serve in government after me. I hope my story reminds you to always be brave, to stand up for what you believe is fair and right, and to know that even one person can make a very big difference in the world.