Jeannette Rankin papers, 1917-1941

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Summary

Creator:
Rankin, Jeannette, 1880-1973
Abstract:
Collection contains approximately 50 letters, largely congratulatory, mailed to Jeannette Rankin following her congressional vote opposing the United States' declaration of war on Germany in 1917. Many letters discuss women's suffrage and the desire for peace. Collection also includes assorted materials from Jeannette's lecture tours in New York, including itemized statements from a New York advertising agency and a promotional flyer. There is blank stationary letterhead from her second congressional term. Also includes two letters from Rankin's mother, Olive Pickering Rankin, to her brother, Wellington; these are undated but appear to be from approximately 1917-1920s.
Extent:
0.25 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.11871

Background

Scope and content:

Collection contains approximately 50 letters, largely congratulatory, mailed to Jeannette Rankin following her congressional vote opposing the United States' declaration of war on Germany in 1917. These letters are from strangers and non-constituents, largely women; most discuss woman's suffrage and the desire for peace, and applaud Jeannette Rankin's bravery for voting her conscience.

Collection also includes assorted materials from Rankin's lecture tours in New York, including itemized statements from a New York advertising agency in 1917, and a promotional flyer with an image of Jeannette Rankin from 1933. There is blank stationary letterhead from her second congressional term.

Finally, the collection also includes two letters from Rankin's mother, Olive Pickering Rankin, to her brother, Wellington Rankin; these are undated but appear to be from approximately 1917-1920s. Olive Rankin discusses her immense dislike of Washington D.C., and her dislike of the people (including suffragist Cornelia Swinnerton) she has met there. One quote from the August 27 (year not included in the letter, although perhaps 1917): "I stay here because I know I am needed though perhaps Jeannette would rather I would not. She has a peculiar liking for a set of New Yorkers. Miss Craft, Miss Swinnerton, and others who would run the house if I were not here. They think with a few jewels and an immense amount of flattery they can own Jeannette, but I have a prior claim. Truly Wellington if you knew the people they would disgust you especially Swinny I think of swine whenever I look at her."

Biographical / historical:

Jeannette Rankin (1880-1917), from Montana, was the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress, serving two terms in the House of Representatives (1917-1919, and 1941-1943). She was an active suffragist and campaigned as a Republican. Rankin voted against the U.S. declaration of war on Germany in 1917, and was the sole opposing vote in the U.S. Congress declaration of war on Japan in 1941.

Acquisition information:
The Jeannette Rankin Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2015.
Processing information:

Processed by Meghan Lyon, December 2020

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2015-0050-LUBMSS409

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.

Subjects:
World War, 1914-1918
Women -- Suffrage -- United States -- History -- 20th century
Suffragists -- United States.
Names:
United States. Congress. House
Baskin, Lisa Unger, former owner
Rankin, Wellington Duncan, 1884-1966
Rankin, Olive Pickering, 1853-1947
Places:
Washington (D.C.) -- Description and travel

Contents

Using These Materials

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Jeannette Rankin Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m19t6m