State of Montana Newsroom
Governor Gianforte Celebrates Legacy of Jeannette Rankin
Declares April 2 “Jeannette Rankin Day”
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today celebrated the legacy of Jeannette Rankin by proclaiming April 2, 2025 “Jeannette Rankin Day” in Montana.
“Jeannette Rankin dedicated her life to pursuing equality for all Americans,” Gov. Gianforte said. “By becoming the first woman elected to Congress—before women even had the right to vote—she broke barriers and paved the way for future generations of women leaders.”
Gov. Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte with Jeannette Rankin Foundation leadership yesterday
Rankin was born in 1880 on her family’s ranch in Missoula County. A leader of the women’s suffrage movement, Rankin led the effort to make Montana the 11th state to grant women the right to vote. First elected to Congress in 1916, Rankin was the only woman to vote on legislation to give women the right to vote, a step among many that ultimately led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920.
April 2 coincides with the day in 1917 when Rankin was sworn into office as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
At the ceremony, Karen Sterk, CEO of the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, celebrated the proclamation as a step toward recognizing the impact of Rankin’s leadership nationally, saying, “The Jeannette Rankin Foundation is proud to continue Jeannette’s legacy. Jeannette Rankin is a name all Americans should know, and we are grateful to Montana for honoring her great life and impact. Jeannette Rankin continues to inspire all of us to champion women in their pursuit of a better future, where they are the leaders of their own destiny.”
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation, founded in 1976 with a bequest from Rankin’s estate, awards education grants to nontraditional women students seeking their post-secondary education. To date, the nonprofit has awarded more than 2,539 Rankin Scholar Grants nationwide, with 49 currently awarded across the Montana University System and all seven Tribal Colleges.
The proclamation may be viewed here .
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