# Rebecca Latimer Felton

> American politician (1835-1930)

**Wikidata**: [Q271243](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q271243)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_Latimer_Felton)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rebecca-latimer-felton

## Summary
Rebecca Latimer Felton was an American politician, suffragist, and social activist who served as the first woman to hold a seat in the United States Senate, albeit for a single day in 1922. Born in 1835, she was a prominent advocate for women's rights and education reform in Georgia.

## Biography
- **Born**: June 10, 1835
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**: Not specified in the source material.
- **Known for**: First woman to serve in the U.S. Senate; advocacy for women's suffrage and education reform.
- **Employer(s)**: United States Senate (one-day term in 1922)
- **Field(s)**: Politics, social activism, women's rights

## Contributions
- **U.S. Senate Service**: Appointed as a Senator from Georgia on November 21, 1922, serving for one day, becoming the first woman to hold the position.
- **Advocacy Work**: Promoted women's suffrage and education reform in Georgia through writings and public engagement.
- **Publications**: Authored works advocating for social reforms, though specific titles are not provided in the source material.

## FAQs
**What was Rebecca Latimer Felton's most notable political achievement?**  
She was the first woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, appointed for a one-day term in 1922, marking a milestone for women's political participation.

**What causes did Felton advocate for?**  
She was a prominent suffragist and social activist, focusing on women's right to vote and education reform in Georgia.

**How long did Felton serve in the Senate?**  
Her Senate term lasted only one day, from November 21 to November 22, 1922.

**Was Felton elected to the Senate?**  
No, she was appointed by Georgia Governor Thomas W. Hardwick to fill a vacant seat, as the Senate was not in session at the time of the vacancy.

## Why They Matter
Rebecca Latimer Felton's significance lies in her role as a trailblazer for women in U.S. politics. Her brief Senate tenure symbolized the progress of the women's suffrage movement, which culminated in the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote in 1920. Her advocacy for education reform and social justice influenced public discourse in Georgia and beyond, challenging gender norms of her time.

## Notable For
- First woman to serve in the U.S. Senate (1922)
- Prominent suffragist and advocate for women's rights
- Recipient of recognition from Georgia Women of Achievement
- Pioneering figure in Georgia's education reform efforts

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Rebecca Latimer Felton was born on June 10, 1835, in Harford County, Maryland, and later moved to Georgia. Her early life and education are not detailed in the source material, but her marriage to Dr. Benjamin H. Felton in 1854 marked the beginning of her public engagement in social issues.

### Political Career and Activism
Felton's political involvement began through her advocacy for women's suffrage and education reform. She authored articles and spoke publicly on these topics, gaining recognition in Georgia. Her most notable achievement came in 1922 when Governor Thomas W. Hardwick appointed her to the U.S. Senate to fill a vacant seat, making her the first woman to hold the position. Her one-day term on November 21, 1922, was a symbolic victory for the women's rights movement.

### Legacy and Impact
Felton's Senate appointment highlighted the growing political influence of women following the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Her advocacy work laid groundwork for future generations of women in politics and social activism. Organizations such as Georgia Women of Achievement have recognized her contributions to the state's history and the broader struggle for gender equality.

### Personal Life and Later Years
Felton died on January 24, 1930, at the age of 94. Her life spanned significant social and political changes in the United States, including the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the women's suffrage movement. Her legacy endures as a symbol of early 20th-century feminist activism and political participation.

## References

1. [Source](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Woman_of_the_Century/Rebecca_Latimer_Felton)
2. Find a Grave
3. A Woman of the Century
4. [Source](https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/chronlist.pdf)
5. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
6. American Women Writers
7. [Source](https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/rebecca-latimer-felton-1835-1930/)
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. SNAC
10. Felton, Rebecca Latimer (10 June 1835–24 January 1930), reformer and women's activist
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. [Source](https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/interactive/2022/congress-slaveowners-names-list/)
14. FactGrid