Brief description of myself:

I am a longtime Republican politician from Maine, and the first woman to earn election to both the House of Representatives and the Senate. I was a United States politician from December 14, 1897 – May 29, 1995. Being a member of the Republican Party, I served as a U.S Representative in the years of 1940–49 and a U.S. Senator in the years of 1949–73. To date, I am ranked as the longest-serving Republican woman in the Senate.

A Little about My Life

I was born in 1897 in Maine, and became one of the prominent voices of 20th century American politics. After taking over my husband's House seat in 1940, I carved out a three-decade career as an independent-minded congresswoman and senator. I notably supported women's rights and making a high-profile stand in opposition of Senator Joseph McCarthy's crusade against communism. I was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom late in life.                                                          

In 1930, I married Independent Reporter owner Clyde Smith. There was a notable age difference between the us Iwas 32 and he was 55 but we shared a mutual interest as strong supporters of the Republican Party.

My Accomplishents

I received more than 90 honorary degrees during my lifetime, I was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1973 and the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame in 1990. I was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1989 from President George H.W. Bush. I delivered a speech called the “Declaration of Conscience” in 1950. I was one of the most politically powerful women in American history. I served over eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives and was the sole woman senator during my 24 years in the Senate. I was the first woman to have been elected to both houses of Congress and in 1964 became the first woman to have been nominated for the presidency of the United States by a major political party.