The Answer:

The first woman to serve as a U.S. senator was Rebecca Felton of Georgia. She was appointed to fill a vacancy in 1922, and served for two days.

The first to be elected was Hattie Wyatt Caraway of Arkansas. In 1932, she was appointed to fill the vacancy created when her husband died. She was elected for a full term later that year, and reelected in 1938.

You might be interested in our list of Famous Firsts by American Women.

—The Editors