Women leaders finally forced their way into politics, gaining new public responsibilities and political freedoms. Although only a handful of women were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (by 1928 there were seven), many women became officeholders and served at the state level in legislatures and
executive positions (this included secretary of education and secretary of state) (Dumeni, 2007).
Among the first women to gain fame as an elected official in the 1920s was American politician, Nellie Tayloe Ross. Due to the passing of her husband William Bradford Ross, Governor of Wyoming, Nellie Ross was elected to replace him. Inaugurated on January 5th, 1925, Ross became the first female governor in the United States (Nellie Tayloe Ross, 2004).
Ross inspired the women of the generation to become involved within their country, proving that discrimination against their sex was a truly misguided notion. Although slow, by the end of the decade, women were represented in local, state, and national committees, finally making use of their political and voting rights (Benner, 2004).
executive positions (this included secretary of education and secretary of state) (Dumeni, 2007).
Among the first women to gain fame as an elected official in the 1920s was American politician, Nellie Tayloe Ross. Due to the passing of her husband William Bradford Ross, Governor of Wyoming, Nellie Ross was elected to replace him. Inaugurated on January 5th, 1925, Ross became the first female governor in the United States (Nellie Tayloe Ross, 2004).
Ross inspired the women of the generation to become involved within their country, proving that discrimination against their sex was a truly misguided notion. Although slow, by the end of the decade, women were represented in local, state, and national committees, finally making use of their political and voting rights (Benner, 2004).