In 1917, three years before the ratification of the 19th Amendment, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman to serve in Congress. Including Rankin, 203 women have been elected to the House of Representatives. These women emerged from a wide variety of backgrounds and represent the full spectrum of American political life.

This page contains a brief biography of all women who have served or are currently serving in the House of Representatives.

 

First compiled for Women in History Month, March 1998
under the direction of the Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

 

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