Lottie Holman O'Neill
| Lottie Holman O’Neill | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 41st district | |
|
In office 1923–1931 | |
|
In office 1933–1951 | |
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 42st district | |
|
In office 1951–1964 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
November 7, 1878 Barry, Illinois, United States |
| Died |
February 17, 1967 (aged 88) Downers Grove, Illinois, United States |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | William O’Neill |
Lottie (Holman) O'Neill (November 7, 1878 - February 17, 1967) was a politician elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1922, the first woman elected to the Illinois General Assembly. O'Neill went on to serve for 40 years in the Assembly, becoming the longest-serving female elected official in the United States at the time.[1]
Biography
O'Neill was born November 7, 1878 in Barry, Illinois.[2]
She earned a business degree, and then moved to Chicago.[2]
In 1904 she married William O’Neill, with whom she had two sons.[2] The family moved to Downers Grove in 1908.
O'Neill became an activist for equal voting rights, working with the League of Women Voters.[1]
Political career
O'Neill was inspired by the political success of Jeannette Rankin, who in 1916 was the first woman elected to the US Congress.[2]
In 1920, women in Illinois gained the right to vote, and O'Neill was encouraged by her husband to run for the legislature.[2]
She ran as a Republican, and won a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives in 1922. O'Neill was a strong supporter of civil rights, public schools, parks, and disabled children.[1][2] O'Neill successfully sponsored legislation which limited women's workdays to eight hours.[2]
In 1930 she ran unsuccessfully for the Illinois Senate.[1]
O'Neill served 13 terms in the House of Representatives, and was then elected to the Illinois Senate in 1950, where she served six terms. O'Neill served a total of 40 years in both the House and the Senate.[2]
O'Neill became more conservative over her career.[2] She opposed federal income tax, the United Nations, growing state budgets, and excessive regulations.[1][2]
O'Neill was a delegate to the 1956 Republican National Convention, which re-nominated Dwight Eisenhower. In 1964 she supported Barry Goldwater.[2]
She was described as strong willed and independent, and was referred to by her colleagues as the "conscience of the Senate".[2]
Later life
O'Neill retired from politics in 1963.[2]
She died in Downers Grove, Illinois at age 88.[2]
Legacy
O'Neill Middle School in Downers Grove, Illinois is named in her honor.[2]
A statue in the rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol was erected in 1976 to commemorate her.[2]