JEANNETTE RANKIN | Shattered Ceilings

On Jeannette Rankin’s death anniversary, we remember the first woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress—a trailblazer whose voice for peace and justice defied convention and war. Long before women had the right to vote nationwide, Rankin stepped into the halls of power and made history—not once, but repeatedly. Known for her bold pacifism and uncompromising stand against two world wars, she remains a symbol of courage, dissent, and the enduring fight for equality.

Featured in the acclaimed anthology Red, White & Verse, the poem “Jeannette Rankin | Shattered Ceilings” captures the unyielding spirit of this Montana-born pioneer. Through stirring verse, it reflects on her groundbreaking election, her legacy of resistance, and the unshakable resolve that lit the path for generations of women to follow. As we mark this day, may her story remind us that conviction can echo louder than consensus—and that authentic leadership often walks alone.

Jeannette Rankin

Shattered Ceilings 

Born of Montana, to the world she would show

A woman’s strength can indeed overthrow.

From Missoula’s rugged terrain and untamed air,

A force was born, Jeannette Rankin, bold and fair.

In halls of power, where men ruled supreme,

She walked with purpose, pursuing her dream.

The first of her kind in Congress’s span,

She shattered the ceiling, part of no man’s plan.

Before the law echoed her righteous fight,

Four years prior, she claimed her right.

A lodestar of suffrage, bright and clear,

For women’s voices, she brought a cheer.

War clouds gathered not once, but twice,

In Congress, she stood, rolling the dice.

A voice of dissent in a sea of assent,

Her votes for peace, a clear statement sent.

Courageous and firm, she weathered the storm,

Her pacifist stance, far from the norm.

Unmoved by the controversy she stirred,

Her conviction held fast, undeterred.

She bid the world farewell in ’73,

In California’s embrace, by the sea.

Yet her legacy endures, undimmed by time,

In every mountain ascended, in each challenging climb.

Her story has woven a path for others to tread,

Her fight for equality, in hearts, has spread.

Rankin’s courage, her resolve so grand,

Echo through time, across the land.

A lady of grit, of unwavering will,

In halls of power, her echoes still thrill.

For every woman who steps into the fray,

Rankin’s path shines, lighting the way.

By Greg McNeilly

JEANNETTE RANKIN (1880–1973)

·      Jeannette Rankin was born in Missoula, Montana, on June 11, 1880.

·      She grew up in Missoula’s rugged landscapes and fresh air. Her origins foreshadowed her strong character and steadfast resolve throughout her life.

·      Rankin is the first woman elected to the United States Congress, representing her home state of Montana and breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated world of politics.

·      Rankin’s fierce activism for women’s suffrage made her a beacon for the entire suffragist movement.

·      She was elected to Congress four years before ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

·      Elected on April 2, 1917, she was the first woman ever to serve in Congress and became a symbol of progress.

·      Throughout her political career, Rankin was known for her pacifist stance, advocating for the disenfranchised and marginalized.

·      Her staunch convictions and unwavering commitment to nonviolence made her the only member of Congress who voted against U.S. involvement in World War I and II.

·      Rankin’s influence and voice remained palpable in American politics and activism even after her 1941 bid for Congress failed.

·      The iconic politician passed away in Carmel, California, on May 18, 1973, leaving a legacy as an advocate for peace and equality.

·      She set a precedent for future generations of women in public service and reaffirmed the fight for gender equality with her historic election to Congress.