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Meng-Zinke Legislation to Honor 100th Anniversary of First Woman Elected to Congress Passed by House

April 18, 2016

Legislation sponsored by U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY) and Ryan Zinke (R-Montana) to honor the 100th anniversary of the first woman elected to Congress was passed this evening by the House of Representatives. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate.

The 100 Years of Women in Congress Act seeks to pay tribute to former Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin (R-Montana) who was elected to the House in 1916, before women even had the right to vote.

The measure would rename the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Women and Minorities in STEM Fields Program (WAMS)” to the “Jeannette Rankin Women and Minorities in STEM Fields Program.” Rankin, having graduated with a bachelor of science degree in biology in 1902, was a pioneer in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

“U.S. Rep. Jeannette Rankin was a pioneer whose historic election paved the way for women to serve in Congress,” said Meng. “This legislation is the perfect vehicle to pay tribute to her legacy, and ensure that the achievements she made are not forgotten. I thank my colleagues in the House for agreeing, and I look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Zinke on this important and bipartisan effort.”

“Rep. Rankin was a true Montanan, embodying the pioneer spirit we know and love,” said Zinke. “Rankin led the way for women in both STEM and politics. She was the first woman ever elected to the House of Representatives, and that was at a time in our nation when many women didn’t even have the right to vote. She was a famously spirited debater and leading women’s suffrage advocate. Not being content blazing trails in just one field, Rankin was also a gifted scientific mind having graduated from the University of Montana with a biology degree. This grant program is an important tool for young women of today to continue their education in STEM and possibly break new ground and blaze new trails for the young women of tomorrow.”

If renamed, the program would remain a competitive initiative which provides grants to colleges and universities that encourage women and minorities to pursue degrees and careers in STEM fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up 47 percent of the total U.S. workforce. Although gains have been made in STEM fields, women still comprise only 39 percent of chemists and material scientists, 28 percent of environmental scientists and geoscientists, 16 percent of chemical engineers and 12 percent of civil engineers.

Born in 1880, Jeannette Rankin represented the state of Montana in the House.” She was elected on November 7, 1916, almost four years prior to ratification of the Constitution’s 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote.

Rankin also had ties to New York City. She helped organize the New York Women's Suffrage Party and worked for the National American Woman Suffrage Association, which was headquartered in New York City. She also attended the New York School of Philanthropy which became part of Columbia University.

Photo: Click here to download the official House of Representatives portrait of Rep. Rankin.