Preceded by Phil J. Welch Political party Democratic Party Name Leonor Sullivan | Full Name Leonor Kretzer Succeeded by Richard A. Gephardt Resigned January 3, 1977 | |
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Born August 21, 1902
St. Louis, Mo. ( 1902-08-21 ) Resting place Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum
38°42′11″N 90°14′20″W / 38.70306°N 90.23889°W / 38.70306; -90.23889 Spouse(s) John B. Sullivan 1941-1951
Russell L. Archibald 1980-1988 Alma mater Washington University - St. Louis Occupation Educational director
Teacher Role Member of the United States House of Representatives Died September 1, 1988, St. Louis, Missouri, United States Education Washington University in St. Louis Parents Nora Jostrand, Frederick William Kretzer | ||
Leonor Kretzer Sullivan (August 21, 1902 – September 1, 1988) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri. She was a Democrat and the first woman in Congress from Missouri.
Sullivan attended Washington University in St. Louis and was a teacher and director at St. Louis Comptometer school. She was married to John B. Sullivan, who served four terms in Congress, and she served as his administrative aide. Following her husband's death in 1951, she served as an aide to Congressman Leonard Irving until she left to run for Congress herself in 1952. She was re-elected eleven times. In Congress, she served for many years as Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus.
Sullivan helped create the food stamp program, which was opposed by Agriculture Secretary Ezra Taft Benson and became law in the 1960s during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.
Sullivan was one of very few members of Congress, and the only woman member of Congress, to vote against the Equal Rights Amendment for women in the early 1970s.
She did not seek re-election in 1976, and was succeeded by Dick Gephardt.
In 1979, the Supersisters trading card set was produced and distributed; one of the cards featured Sullivan's name and picture.
The former Wharf Street in front of the Gateway Arch in Downtown St. Louis was renamed Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard in her honor.
Quotes
"A woman with a woman's viewpoint is of more value when she forgets she's a woman and begins to act like a man."