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Jeannette Rankin Quotes

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About Jeannette Rankin

Jeannette Rankin (1880–1973), an influential American politician, was the first woman to serve in the United States Congress. Born on February 11, 1880, in Missoula, Montana Territory, she grew up in a family that valued education and social reforms. After completing her degree at the University of Montana, Rankin moved east for further studies in sociology at the Cowles School of Social Economy at Radcliffe College (now part of Harvard University). Her experiences during college, particularly the suffrage movement, greatly influenced her. She became a prominent activist for women's rights and peace, serving as the president of the National Woman Suffrage Association from 1915 to 1916. In 1916, she was elected as a Republican to the 65th United States Congress, becoming the first woman in U.S. history to hold federal office. Rankin's most significant vote was against the declaration of war on Germany in April 1917, which she argued would result in unnecessary bloodshed. In 1940, Rankin returned to Congress as a Democrat and served until 1943. Despite her progressive values, she opposed the New Deal policies initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, viewing them as overly interventionist. Post-politics, Rankin continued her work in promoting peace and women's rights, including supporting the establishment of the United Nations and serving as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Peace during its initial stages. Throughout her life, Jeannette Rankin remained committed to social justice and peace, leaving a lasting impact on American politics and society. Her legacy is celebrated for paving the way for women in Congress and standing strong against war, making her an enduring symbol of activism and determination.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Nobody can bring you peace but yourself."

This quote emphasizes the importance of inner peace and self-reliance in achieving a state of tranquility. It suggests that external sources cannot provide true, lasting peace; rather, each individual has the power to find inner calmness and contentment by addressing their own thoughts, emotions, and actions. Essentially, Jeannette Rankin asserts that personal responsibility is crucial in cultivating a peaceful life, as only one's self can bring lasting harmony to their being.

"I may be soft in years, but my conviction is as hard as a rock which has been battered for years."

Jeannette Rankin's quote emphasizes her unwavering commitment to her beliefs despite her advanced age. Despite appearing soft or delicate due to her age, her convictions are as strong and unyielding as a rock that has endured hardship for many years. This quote serves as a reminder that age should not diminish one's resilience and determination in standing up for their beliefs.

"I would rather lose elections than win them if I cannot carry the whole nation with me."

This quote by Jeannette Rankin emphasizes her commitment to unity and inclusivity in political decision-making. Rather than seeking victory at any cost, she valued building consensus across the nation and representing the collective will of its people. It suggests a principled approach where compromise and cooperation are preferred over partisan gains, and where decisions reflect the shared values and aspirations of the entire nation.

"I believe that women represent the greatest untapped resource in the United States today."

This quote underscores Jeannette Rankin's belief that women, as a largely underutilized group in American society at the time, hold immense potential to contribute significantly to the nation. She suggests that if women were given more opportunities, they could bring about meaningful change and progress in the United States.

"The right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight every battle under the flag of freedom."

This quote by Jeannette Rankin emphasizes that fundamental rights are paramount and non-negotiable, even in the face of conflict or war. It suggests a strong commitment to freedom, where one is willing to engage in battles (metaphorically or literally) to preserve these essential rights. The quote underscores the idea that peace may sometimes require struggle, especially when it comes to protecting principles like liberty and freedom.

There can be no compromise with war; it cannot be reformed or controlled; cannot be disciplined into decency or codified into common sense.

- Jeannette Rankin

War, Disciplined, Controlled, Compromise

You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake.

- Jeannette Rankin

War, More, Than, Earthquake

Men and women are like right and left hands; it doesn't make sense not to use both.

- Jeannette Rankin

Hands, Like, Use, Women Are

If they are going to have war, they ought to take the old men and leave the young to propagate the race.

- Jeannette Rankin

Young, Race, Going, Old Men

War is the slaughter of human beings, temporarily regarded as enemies, on as large a scale as possible.

- Jeannette Rankin

Regarded, Large, Temporarily

What one decides to do in crisis depends on one's philosophy of life, and that philosophy cannot be changed by an incident. If one hasn't any philosophy in crises, others make the decision.

- Jeannette Rankin

Decision, Crisis, Crises, Incident

We have to get it into our heads once and for all that we cannot settle disputes by eliminating human beings.

- Jeannette Rankin

Settle, We Cannot, Our, Disputes

We reasoned that the men would find it difficult to vote against the women in their home states when a woman was sitting with them making laws.

- Jeannette Rankin

Woman, Making, Laws, Sitting

Bribes are not offered in such a way that you can prove them, and in order to prove that I didn't accept a bribe, I had to run.

- Jeannette Rankin

Prove, Bribe, Them, Such A Way

As a woman I can't go to war, and I refuse to send anyone else.

- Jeannette Rankin

Woman, Refuse, Anyone, Send

The most important accomplishment, I believe, was my voting against the First World War.

- Jeannette Rankin

Voting, The Most Important, I Believe

It will be hard to convince people that their welfare is safe in the hands of a federal government when they feel themselves the victims of unjust sectional discrimination.

- Jeannette Rankin

Hands, Will, Unjust, Discrimination

I want to stand by my country, but I cannot vote for war.

- Jeannette Rankin

Want, Country, Cannot, Vote

You take people as far as they will go, not as far as you would like them to go.

- Jeannette Rankin

Will, Take, Would, As Far As

If you're against war, you're against war regardless of what happens. It's a wrong method of trying to settle a dispute.

- Jeannette Rankin

Against, Dispute, Method, Regardless

It is important for people to be able to read all sides of every question; for a feeling of national unity does not come from one-sided or inadequate information, but from a sense of freedom impartially secured and of opportunity equalized by a just government.

- Jeannette Rankin

Unity, Government, One-Sided, Sides

It is unconscionable that 10,000 boys have died in Vietnam. If 10,000 American women had mind enough they could end the war, if they were committed to the task, even if it meant going to jail.

- Jeannette Rankin

Mind, Committed, Meant, Unconscionable

How can people in other countries who are trying to grasp our plan of democracy avoid stumbling over our logic when we deny the first steps in democracy to our women?

- Jeannette Rankin

Other, Over, Deny, Logic

Go! Go! Go! It makes no difference where, just so you go! Go! Go! Remember, at the first opportunity, go.

- Jeannette Rankin

Remember, Go, Makes, No Difference

Might it not be that a great force that has always been thinking in terms of human needs, and that always will think in terms of human needs, has not been mobilized? Is it not possible that the women of the country have something of value to give the nation at this time?

- Jeannette Rankin

Think, Always, Needs, Force

Small use it will be to save democracy for the race if we cannot save the race for democracy.

- Jeannette Rankin

Small, Race, We Cannot, Save

We're half the people; we should be half the Congress.

- Jeannette Rankin

People, Should, Half, Congress

I have nothing left but my integrity.

- Jeannette Rankin

Nothing, Left, Integrity

If I had my life to live over, I would do it all again, but this time I would be nastier.

- Jeannette Rankin

My Life, Over, Had, Again

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