Margaret Chase Smith (1897)
Smith served as her husband’s secretary following his election as a US representative. After he died in 1940, she was elected to finish his unexpired term, becoming Maine’s first congresswoman. Noted for her integrity and independence, she joined the Senate in 1948 and continued to be reelected until 1972. In 1950, she gave her famed “Declaration of Conscience” speech opposing the actions of Senator Joseph McCarthy. The speech earned her what derisive nickname from McCarthy’s staff? More…
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