First woman nominated for president by a major political party: Hilllary Clinton, Democrat from New York, 2016
First woman nominated as vice president by a major political party: Geraldine Ferraro, Democrat from New York, 1984 (with Walter Mondale)
First woman to serve in the U.S. Senate: Rebecca Latimer Felton, Democrat from Georgia. Appointed in 1922 by governor to fill remainder of Senator Thomas Watson's term after his sudden death. Felton served just one day before the Senate was recessed for the year. A newly elected senator was sworn in for the new session.
First woman elected to the U.S. Senate: Ophelia Wyatt Caraway, Democrat from Arkansas, 1931-'45
First woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives: Jeannette Rankin, Republican from Montana, 1917-'19; 1941-'43. Cast Congress' only "no" vote on whether United States should declare war on Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
First woman to hold a Cabinet post: Frances Perkins, secretary of labor, 1933-'45
First woman U.S. governor: Nellie Tayloe Ross, Democrat of Wyoming 1925-'27
First woman mayor of a major U.S. city: Bertha Knight Landes, Democrat of Seattle, Washington, 1926-'28
