90th Anniversary of First Woman Elected to US Congress
Nov 6, 2006 by JRF Admin
90th Anniversary of Jeannette Rankin’s election to U.S. Congress
and
30th Anniversary of the Jeannette Rankin Foundation
November 2006
November 6, 2006 is the 90th Anniversary of Jeannette Rankin’s election to United States Congress. Women’s suffrage had passed in Montana and voters elected Rankin, the sole Republican to win in Montana in 1916. Party affiliation was not her only distinction because Jeannette Rankin joined the previously all-male Congress as its first woman representative. American women finally had a voice in federal government. A strong proponent of women’s and children’s rights, Rankin introduced legislation seeking an eight-hour work day for women, equal wages for equal work, and a federal suffrage amendment. Throughout her lifetime, she was a tireless voice against oppression, dedicating herself to peace and freedom. In 1972, she was selected to be the first member of the Susan B. Anthony Hall of Fame, an honor established to recognize outstanding leaders for women’s rights. Among those celebrating with her at her induction were Gloria Steinem, Bella Abzug, Betty Friedan, and Shirley Chisholm. Rankin passed away on May 18, 1973.
Jeannette Rankin’s Legacy
Rankin bequeathed a portion of her Watkinsville, Georgia estate to assist “mature, unemployed women workers.” The Jeannette Rankin Foundation (JRF) was established to assist low-income women toward their educational goals. Proceeds from Rankin’s estate, $16,000, became the seed money for the foundation, which has been helping low-income women ages 35 and older since it was chartered in 1976. JRF awarded its first educational grant of $500 to one woman in 1978; in 2006, JRF is awarding grants of $2000 each to 78 women from across the United States. To date, 494 women are the recipients of 533 grants totalling more than $848,000. The Jeannette Rankin Foundation is proud that Rankin’s legacy lives on through the lives of JRF recipients, women who have a vision of how their education will benefit themselves, their families, and their communities.
About Poverty, Women and Education
- In the U.S. in 2005, the median earnings for men were $41,965, while the earnings for women were $32,168. (2005 U.S. Census data)
- Women’s ability to earn a living wage increases drastically with a college education.
- Women who do not complete high school earn a median income of $13,076.
- Women high school graduates earn a median income of $20,179.
- Women who earn Associate’s degrees increase their median earnings to $25,736.
- Women who complete Bachelor’s degrees achieve median earnings of $36,250.
(2005 U.S. Census data)
- Women who do not complete high school earn a median income of $13,076.
- Nearly 400,000 more women are living in poverty in 2005 than in 2004. Women in poverty reached 2.1 million in 2005. www.wowonline.org
- Poverty rates are highest for families headed by single women, particularly if they are black or Hispanic.
- In 2004, 28.4% of households headed by single women were living in poverty.
- By contrast, 13.5% of households headed by single men lived in poverty and 5.5% of married-couple households lived in poverty. www.npc.umich.edu/poverty/
- In 2004, 28.4% of households headed by single women were living in poverty.
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