Little Legends
Storybook portrait of Jeannette Rankin

1880 – 1973

Jeannette Rankin

The first woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress.

The Story

Jeannette grew up on a Montana ranch, riding horses and fixing fences.

She worked hard so women could vote in Montana — years before the whole country agreed.

Then she ran for Congress herself and won, becoming the first woman there.

She always voted for peace, even when it was very unpopular.

She kept marching for peace right into her nineties.