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The bronze statue of the politician and pacifist Jeannette Rankin stands in the US Capitol Visitor Center Emancipation Hall. It was donated to the National Statuary Hall Collection by Montana in 1985 and created by Montana artist Terry Mimnaugh. On the statue, her words are engraved: “I Cannot Vote For War.”
Jeannette Rankin (1880-1973) was the first woman to be elected to the US House of Representatives in 1916, four years before the 19th amendment ratification to the US Constitution, granting American women their right to vote. Rankin served twice as a Republican Representative of Montana in the House 1917-1919 and 1941-1943. She advocated for women’s rights, social welfare, and pacifism. In both her terms of service, she stayed true to her principles and opposed US involvement in world wars, even when it cost her political career.
Rankin’s statue is one of the few female statues in the National Statuary Hall Collection, which has 100 sculptures in total.
If “A Capitol Moment” leaves you wanting more, take a look at the Capitol Visitor Center’s guided tour offerings and special activities at http://www.visitthecapitol.gov.
For more information on Jeannette Rankin click the link below
http://www.aoc.gov/capitol-hill/national-statuary-hall-collection/jeannette-rankin
This post is also available in:
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This post is also available in:
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Washington, DC, USA
Washington, DC, USA
Washington, DC, USA
Washington, DC, USA
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