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Rebecca Felton (D-GA) Pictured with Members of the National Woman's Party, November 20, 1922


Rebecca Felton (D-GA) Pictured with Members of the National Woman's Party, November 20, 1922
When Rebecca Latimer Felton of Georgia (seated) was appointed to a vacant seat on October 3, 1922, becoming the first woman to serve in the Senate, she was expected to serve just a short, symbolic term without the opportunity to be sworn into office in the Senate Chamber. (The Senate had already adjourned for the year.) This prompted women across America to petition to have Congress called back into special session so that Felton could be sworn in and take her rightful place in the Senate. That happened on November 21, 1922, the day after this photo was taken.
credit: Library of Congress