NOTABLE ARKANSANS

NOTABLE ARKANSANS

STEVE STEPHENS AND CLYDE SNIDER

Special to the Democrat-Gazette

She lived in Jonesboro and managed the family cotton plantation while her husband, Thaddeus, served in the U.S. Senate. When her husband died in 1931, she was appointed by Gov. Harvey Parnell to fill out the remainder of her husband's term. Her appointment was later confirmed by a special election, making her the first woman elected to the Senate. With her honesty and integrity she soon won the respect of her colleagues.

In May 1932 she was invited by Vice President Charles Curtis to preside over the Senate. Using that occasion, this quiet, matronly lady surprised everyone by announcing her intentions to run for re-election. U.S. Sen. Huey Long, D-La., was active in her successful campaign against the popular U.S. Rep. John L. McClellan, D-Ark., which made the election of 1932 one of the most colorful in history. McClellan used the campaign slogan "We Need Another Man in the Senate."

She made history again in 1933 when she became the first woman to chair a Senate Standing Committee. In 1943, she became the first woman in the Senate to co-sponsor the proposed Equal Rights Amendment. She went on to serve the people of the Arkansas in the Senate until she was defeated by J. William Fulbright in 1944.

In January 1950 she had a stroke and died within a year, at age 72.

Notable Arkansans is written by Steve Stephens and produced by Clyde Snider

Who was this political pioneer from Jonesboro?

Answer on Page 6E

Style on 07/29/2018

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