LEONOR K. SULLIVAN - AUTOGRAPH - HFSID 71477

LEONOR K. SULLIVAN
3½x2 card signed by the congresswoman from Missouri in blue ink
Signature: “Leonor K. Sullivan”, in blue ink, 3½x2. Leonor Kretzer Sullivan (1902-1988) was a congresswoman from Missouri who served in the U.S. House from 1953 to 1977. Sullivan made history by becoming the first woman to represent Missouri in Congress. After graduating from Washington University in St. Louis, Sullivan became a teacher and director at St. Louis Comptometer School. She served as an aide to her husband, Congressman John B. Sullivan, and then for Leonard Irving after her husband's passing, until she decided to run for office herself. In 1952, Sullivan was elected to 83rd Congress and was reelected to the eleven Congresses that followed. During her time in the House, she served for many years as Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus. She also was instrumental in helping create the food stamp program. Interestingly, Sullivan was one of the few members of Congress (and the only woman) to vote against the Equal Rights Amendment for women that came before Congress in the early 1970s. In 1979, Sullivan was included as one of the notable women featured in the Supersisters trading card set. She was quoted as having said: “A woman with a woman's viewpoint is of more value when she forgets she's a woman and begins to act like a man.” Faint indentation near top edge of front. Lightly toned. Otherwise, fine condition.