United States Congresswoman. Frances Bolton is recognized as the first Congresswoman from the State of Ohio. She served as Republican Congresswoman for 29 years. Her husband Chester Bolton, was elected to the 76th Congress representing the 22nd district in Ohio, serving from January 3, 1939 until his death in October of 1939. Frances Bolton was elected to serve her husband's remaining term. She was repeatedly re-elected from that date until 1968. She supported projects in nursing, health care, and education. Before serving in Congress, she persuaded Secretary of War, Newton D. Baker, to establish an Army School of Nursing during World War I. During World War II, she called for desegregation of the all-white military nursing units. Believing that nurses should have a college education as well as nurses training, she funded a school of nursing at Western Reserve University, which has been renamed the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Bolton strongly supported the United Nations, especially UNICEF, and strongly supported the independence of African colonies. Born Frances Payne Bingham, she received a private education in Cleveland, New York City and Paris, France before her marriage. In 1968, she was defeated in a bid for a sixteenth term, leaving as the oldest woman to serve in the House of Representative to that date.

United States Congresswoman. Frances Bolton is recognized as the first Congresswoman from the State of Ohio. She served as Republican Congresswoman for 29 years. Her husband Chester Bolton, was elected to the 76th Congress representing the 22nd district in Ohio, serving from January 3, 1939 until his death in October of 1939. Frances Bolton was elected to serve her husband's remaining term. She was repeatedly re-elected from that date until 1968. She supported projects in nursing, health care, and education. Before serving in Congress, she persuaded Secretary of War, Newton D. Baker, to establish an Army School of Nursing during World War I. During World War II, she called for desegregation of the all-white military nursing units. Believing that nurses should have a college education as well as nurses training, she funded a school of nursing at Western Reserve University, which has been renamed the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Bolton strongly supported the United Nations, especially UNICEF, and strongly supported the independence of African colonies. Born Frances Payne Bingham, she received a private education in Cleveland, New York City and Paris, France before her marriage. In 1968, she was defeated in a bid for a sixteenth term, leaving as the oldest woman to serve in the House of Representative to that date.

Bio by: Linda Davis