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'''Margaret Chase Smith''' (1897-1995) of Skowhegan, Maine, was the first woman elected to both houses of Congress. She served in the House of Representatives 1940-49, and was elected to the Senate in 1948, serving 1949-73. She was a liberal Northeastern Republican (or "Rockefeller Republican).) She was notably honest, independent and courageous. [[File:Smith-mc.jpg|thumb|290px]] Her concern for national defense during the [[Cold War]] led to service on the House Naval Affairs Committee and later several subcommittees of the Senate Armed Services Committee.  

'''Margaret Chase Smith''' (1897-1995) of Skowhegan, Maine, was the first woman elected to both houses of Congress. She replaced her late husband in the House of Representatives 1940-49, and was elected to the Senate in 1948, serving 1949-73.  

 

 

Smith was a liberal Northeastern Republican (or "Rockefeller Republican) and was defeated for reelection in 1972 by an even more liberal Democrat, who attacked her support for the Vietnam War. She was notably honest, independent and courageous. [[File:Smith-mc.jpg|thumb|260px]] Her concern for national defense during the [[Cold War]] led to service on the House Naval Affairs Committee and later several subcommittees of the Senate Armed Services Committee. She was a nominal candidate for president in 1964.

Smith led the fight for granting women regular status in the armed services during 1944-48. After passage by the Senate in 1947, a bill providing for regular status for women encountered opposition in the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee from several members who would agree only to reserve status for women. Through adroit political maneuvering, Smith forced the issue to the floor, thereby demonstrating that regular status had strong support in the House and ultimately insuring the passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948.<ref> See Sherman (1990) </ref>  

Smith led the fight for granting women regular status in the armed services during 1944-48. After passage by the Senate in 1947, a bill providing for regular status for women encountered opposition in the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee from several members who would agree only to reserve status for women. Through adroit political maneuvering, Smith forced the issue to the floor, thereby demonstrating that regular status had strong support in the House and ultimately insuring the passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948.<ref> See Sherman (1990) </ref>