Margaret Chase Smith

TRAILBLAZER.+As+an+important+political+figure+in+the+20th+century%2C+Margaret+Chase+Smith+furthered+the+identity+of+women+and+government.+She+was+the+first+woman+to+serve+in+both+houses+of+Congress+and+maintained+a+solid+career+in+politics.+Her+%E2%80%98Declaration+of+Conscience%E2%80%99+impacted+groups+and+individuals+with+ideas+that+are+constantly+denied+spotlight+and+support.+

By U.S. Senate Historical Office [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

TRAILBLAZER. As an important political figure in the 20th century, Margaret Chase Smith furthered the identity of women and government. She was the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress and maintained a solid career in politics. Her ‘Declaration of Conscience’ impacted groups and individuals with ideas that are constantly denied spotlight and support.

Despite facing societal gender inequality in politics, Margaret Chase Smith became a solid figure in American politics during the 20th century.
Known as both a Congresswoman and a Senator, she made instrumental strides in creating a place for women in government. In fact, Smith was the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress.
Her ‘Declaration to Conscience’ made in the Senate chambers of 1950, documented America’s troubling pattern of denying and criticizing unpopular or unsupported ideas. This speech garnered a massive public response and marked the excellence in Smith’s long and remarkable government career.