“I speak as a Woman. I speak as a United States Senator. “ – The election of Margaret Chase Smith to the U.S. Senate.

On this day in 1948, Margaret Chase Smith of Maine was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first woman to have served in both houses of Congress. Margaret Chase Smith (1897-1995) was a moderate Republican and early opponent of Joseph McCarthy. On June 1, 1950, she delivered her Declaration of Conscience speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate. This earned her the nickname “Moscow Maggie” from McCarthy’s staff.

To read Margaret Chase Smith’s Declaration of Conscience speech in its entirety, click here.

Having served in both, Margaret Chase Smith knew the different responsibilities of the House and Senate as set out in the U.S. Constitution. Test your knowledge of the legislative branch here.

[Image via Absolute Astronomy]