Senator Hattie Caraway

The forgotten story of the first woman elected to the US Senate, and her historic career during the Depression and Second World War—includes photos.

Hattie Caraway unexpectedly became a United States senator in 1931 by filling the seat of her late husband. But what her colleagues viewed as an honorary position was in fact the start of a distinguished career.


Despite strong male opposition, Hattie won reelection—and loyally and effectively served her Arkansas constituency for twelve years through the difficult times of the Great Depression and World War II. In this biography Caraway scholar Dr. Nancy Hendricks recounts Senator Caraway's historic career through previously unseen letters and photos, and shows how Caraway effected change in the American political landscape.