Rebecca Latimer Felton

Rebecca Ann Latimer Felton (June 10, 1835–January 24, 1930) was an American writer, teacher, reformer, and briefly a politician who became the first woman to serve in the United States Senate, filling an appointment on November 21, 1922, and serving until the next day.

Senator

In 1922, Governor Thomas W. Hardwick was a candidate for the next general election to the Senate, when Senator Thomas E. Watson died prematurely. Seeking an appointee who would not be a competitor in the coming special election to fill the vacant seat, and a way to secure the vote of the new women voters alienated by his opposition to the 19th Amendment, Hardwick chose Felton to serve as Senator on October 3, 1922.

Related Topics:
Governor - Thomas W. Hardwick - General election - Thomas E. Watson - Special election - 19th Amendment - October 3 - 1922

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Congress was not expected to reconvene until after the election, so the chances were slim that Felton would be formally sworn in as Senator. However, Walter George won the special election despite Hardwick's ploy. Rather than take his seat immediately when the Senate reconvened on November 21, 1922, George allowed Felton to be officially sworn in. Felton thus became the first woman seated in the Senate, and served until George took office on November 22, 1922, one day later.

Related Topics:
Walter George - Special election - November 21 - 1922 - November 22

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Felton was the first woman to occupy a seat in the Senate, and only the fourth woman to serve in Congress, after elected Representatives Jeannette Rankin, Alice Mary Robertson, and Winnifred Sprague Mason Huck. Almost ten years later, on January 12, 1932, Hattie Caraway became the first female Senator elected to office. In addition, Felton holds the record for the shortest time in office of any Senator — twenty-four hours. She is also the oldest person to be sworn in as Senator, at 87 years of age. The oldest Senator ever, the 100-year-old Strom Thurmond, entered the Senate at the age of 51.

Related Topics:
Jeannette Rankin - Alice Mary Robertson - Winnifred Sprague Mason Huck - January 12 - 1932 - Hattie Caraway - Strom Thurmond

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