Page "Jeannette Rankin" Paragraph 8

Rankin ’ s election into Congress met with an initial popularity and international attention.

She wrote a weekly newspaper column that was widely read by woman suffragists, and her Progressive appeals were accepted by a large portion of the population.

However, just after her term began, the House held a vote on whether or not to enter World War I. Rankin cast one of 50 votes against the resolution, earning her immediate vilification by the press.

About her vote, Rankin later said, " I felt the first time the first woman had a chance to say no to war she should say it.