Hattie Caraway became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate in 1932.

Born in Tennessee, Hattie Wyatt attended Dickson Normal College, where she met and married fellow student Thaddeus Horaitus Caraway. The couple soon moved to Arkansas. While her husband practiced law, Hattie cared for the family farm and the children. Thaddeus was elected to Congress in 1912, but Hattie couldn’t vote for him until women won the right to vote in 1920. Thaddeus was elected to the Senate, but died unexpectedly during his term in 1932. The Arkansas governor appointed Hattie to her husband’s seat, which was confirmed in a special election held on January 12 1932, making her the first elected woman senator.

Although Hattie maintained a “housewife” image in the Senate and made no speeches on the floor—earning her the nickname “Silent Hattie”—she learned much from her husband’s years of public service. Hattie took her legislator’s responsibilities seriously and built a reputation for integrity.

Centuries before Hattie Caraway lived, God had appointed a woman to represent him before the people. Deborah was the fourth and only female judge that God had appointed. All of Israel came under her jurisdiction, and from under a palm tree she dispensed wisdom and justice to the people. In addition, Deborah was a prophetess, an advocate for her people, and a warrior who helped her people successfully defeat a much stronger enemy. Deborah, like Hattie, took her responsibilities seriously and ruled with integrity.

When you have an opportunity to lead others you can learn from both Hattie and Deborah. As they did, take your responsibilities seriously and exercise your leadership with integrity and courage.

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them (Proverbs 20:7).

To Do

Think of a woman whom you admire the most (it can even be your mom). Write down all the qualities that you admire the most in that person.

Also this day . . .

National Pharmacist Day

1773—The first public museum in America was established in Charleston, South Carolina.

1915—Congress established the Rocky Mountain National Park.

1966—Batman debuted on television.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.