Eliza Jane Pratt
Encyclopedia
Eliza Jane Pratt was a U.S. Representative from North Carolina
, the first woman to represent her state in the U.S. Congress.
A native of Anson County, North Carolina
, Pratt worked as a newspaper editor in Troy, North Carolina
before being hired as a secretary for Congressman Robert L. Doughton
in 1924. She then served Doughton and his successors in North Carolina's 8th congressional district
for the next twenty-two years: J. Walter Lambeth
and William O. Burgin
.
When Burgin died in office in 1946, Pratt was elected as a Democrat to fill the vacancy. She served from May 25, 1946, to January 3, 1947 and was not a candidate in the 1946 general election.
Pratt went on to a variety of federal government jobs and again became a secretary for a member of Congress, Alvin Paul Kitchin
, from 1957 through 1962.
No woman would be elected again to Congress from North Carolina until Eva M. Clayton
was elected in 1992.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, the first woman to represent her state in the U.S. Congress.
A native of Anson County, North Carolina
Anson County, North Carolina
-See also:*National Register of Historic Places listings in Anson County, North Carolina-External links:*...
, Pratt worked as a newspaper editor in Troy, North Carolina
Troy, North Carolina
Troy is a town in Montgomery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,430 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County. The short story by Charles W...
before being hired as a secretary for Congressman Robert L. Doughton
Robert L. Doughton
Robert Lee "Bob" Doughton , of Alleghany County, North Carolina, sometimes known as "Farmer Bob," was a member of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina for 42 consecutive years...
in 1924. She then served Doughton and his successors in North Carolina's 8th congressional district
North Carolina's 8th congressional district
North Carolina's eighth congressional district consists of a large portion of southern North Carolina from Charlotte to Fayetteville, including Concord, Albemarle, Monroe, Wadesboro, Troy, Rockingham, Laurinburg, and Raeford...
for the next twenty-two years: J. Walter Lambeth
J. Walter Lambeth
John Walter Lambeth was a U.S. Representative from North Carolina.Born in Thomasville, North Carolina, Lambeth attended local public schools....
and William O. Burgin
William O. Burgin
William Olin Burgin was a U.S. Representative from North Carolina.Born on a farm near Marion, McDowell County, North Carolina, Burgin moved with his parents to Rutherfordton, North Carolina, where he attended the public schools and Rutherfordton Military Institute.He also attended the Law School...
.
When Burgin died in office in 1946, Pratt was elected as a Democrat to fill the vacancy. She served from May 25, 1946, to January 3, 1947 and was not a candidate in the 1946 general election.
Pratt went on to a variety of federal government jobs and again became a secretary for a member of Congress, Alvin Paul Kitchin
Alvin Paul Kitchin
Alvin Paul Kitchin was a U.S. Congressional representative from North Carolina.Kitchin was born in Scotland Neck, North Carolina on September 13, 1908, the grandson of William H. Kitchin and the nephew of two congressmen...
, from 1957 through 1962.
No woman would be elected again to Congress from North Carolina until Eva M. Clayton
Eva M. Clayton
Eva M. Clayton is a politician from the state of North Carolina.Clayton was born in Savannah, Georgia. She graduated from Johnson C. Smith University with a bachelor's degree and from North Carolina Central University with a master's degree...
was elected in 1992.