Winning the Earthquake

How Jeannette Rankin Defied All Odds to Become the First Woman in Congress

De: Lorissa Rinehart

Narrado por: Courtney Patterson

The first major biography of Jeannette Rankin, a groundbreaking suffragist, activist, and the first American woman to hold federal office.

“Few members of Congress have ever stood more alone while being true to a higher honor and loyalty.” —President John F. Kennedy on Jeannette Rankin

Born on a Montana ranch in 1880, Jeannette Rankin knew how to ride a horse, make a fire, and read the sky for weather. But most of all, she knew how to talk to people, how to convince them of her vision for America. It was this rare skill that led her, in 1916, to become the first woman ever elected to the House of Representatives.

As her first act, Rankin introduced the legislation that would become the 19th Amendment. Throughout her two terms in 1916 and 1940, she continued to introduce and pass legislation benefiting unions, protecting workers, and increasing aid for children in poverty. In 1941, she stood tall as the sole anti-war voice in Congress during WWII, advocating for pacifism in the face of tragedy and stating that you can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake.

A suffragist, feminist, peace activist, workers' rights advocate, progressive, and Republican, Rankin remained ever true to her beliefs―no matter the price she had to pay personally. Yet, despite the momentous steps she made for women in politics, overcoming the boys club of capitalists and career politicians who never wanted to see a woman in Congress, Jeannette Rankin’s story has been largely forgotten. In Winning the Earthquake, Lorissa Rinehart deftly uncovers the compelling history behind this singular American hero, bringing her story back to life.

©2025 Lorissa Rinehart (P)2025 Dreamscape Media

An incredible story about a trailblazer

Winning the Earthquake by Lorissa Rinehart introduced me to an incredible woman. (The author previously wrote an incredible biography of Dickie Chapelle called First to the Front, which made my top ten for 2023, and I think this one could do the same.)

Jeannette Rankin (1880 - 1973) was a feminist, pacifist, activist, and politician. She became the first female member of Congress when she was elected to the House of Representatives as a Republican from Montana in 1916. She was elected again in 1940. Rankin is the only member to vote against joi
ning both WWI and WWII.

After voting against WWI, the press went wild, completely ignoring that many of the male members of Congress voted with her. They attacked her for being female, playing on stereotypes, and outright lying about her affect, saying she was too emotional, crying hysterically, and unable to be logical. Nobody attacked any of the other Representatives who also voted no. Her vote against WWII put her in danger when a hostile crowd mobbed and threatened her. She was forced to find a telephone booth and call the Capitol police for help. Still she stuck by her beliefs, never wavering in her commitment to remaining out of war.

But, Rankin was also very involved in the fight for workers' rights and women's suffrage. I found her to be an intelligent, grounded and strong woman who I would probably vote for today.