Veronica Grace Boland

Veronica Grace Boland (March 18, 1899 – June 19, 1982) was the first woman from Pennsylvania to serve in the United States Congress. A Democrat, she served in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 77th Session of Congress.[1][2][3][4]

Veronica Grace Boland
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 11th district
In office November 3, 1942 – January 3, 1943
Preceded by	Patrick J. Boland
Succeeded by	John W. Murphy
Personal details
Born	March 18, 1899 Scranton, Pennsylvania
Died	June 19, 1982 (aged 83) Scranton, Pennsylvania
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Patrick J. Boland
Parents	Patrick and Winifred Barrett

Formative years

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on March 18, 1899, Veronica Grace Barrett[5] was a daughter of Patrick and Winifred Barrett, who had emigrated from Ireland.[6] She married Patrick J. Boland.[7]

She was educated in the public schools of her community at the Scranton Technical High School.[8]

Political career and later life

Veronica Boland was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-seventh Congress,[9][10] by special election, to fill the vacancy caused by the May 18, 1942 heart attack-related death of her husband on the morning before he would have won the Pennsylvania primary election (a victory which would have sent him to the U.S House for a second term). Urged by leaders of the Democratic Party to fill her husband's seat, she ran unopposed and won the seat on November 3 of that year, during the first congressional elections to be held following America's entry into World War II.[11][12]

Sworn in on November 19, 1942, she represented Pennsylvania's 11th District[13] only until Congress adjourned its 77th session on December 16, 1942, choosing to retire rather than become a candidate for reelection in 1942.[14][15]

After returning to Scranton, she worked as an executive secretary for the Dutch Manufacturing Company, but retired from that position in 1957 when health issues required that she undergo eye surgery.[16]

Death and interment

Boland died in Scranton on June 19, 1982.[17] She is buried at that city's Cathedral Cemetery.[18]

See also

• Women in the United States House of Representatives

References

1. "Boland, Veronica Grace," in History, Art & Archives." Washington, D.C.: U.S. House of Representatives, retrieved online February 23, 2019.
2. Chamberlin, Hope. A Minority of Members: Women in the U.S. Congress, p. 159. New York, New York: Praeger, 1976.
3. Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "Boland, Veronica Grace (1899-1982)." Ann Arbor, Michigan: The Political Graveyard, 2015.
4. "Boland, Veronica Grace," in Biogaphical Directory of the United States Congress. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Congress, retrieved online February 23, 2019.
5. Kestenbaum, "Boland, Veronica Grace," The Political Graveyard.
6. "United States Census, 1900", FamilySearch, retrieved March 25, 2018
7. "Boland, Veronica Grace," in History, Art & Archives," U.S. House of Representatives.
8. "Boland, Veronica Grace," Biogaphical Directory of the United States Congress, U.S. Congress.
9. Daniels, Melissa. "Gender equity elusive in Congress as fewer women run for office." Greensburg and Tarentum, Pennsylvania: The Tribune-Review, January 18, 2015.
10. Olson, Laura. "Pennsylvania voters send a record number of women to Capitol Hill." Allentown, Pennsylvania: Morning Call, November 6, 2018.
11. "Boland, Veronica Grace," in History, Art & Archives," U.S. House of Representatives.
12. "Boland, Veronica Grace," Biogaphical Directory of the United States Congress, U.S. Congress.
13. Kestenbaum, "Boland, Veronica Grace," The Political Graveyard.
14. "Boland, Veronica Grace," in History, Art & Archives," U.S. House of Representatives.
15. "Boland, Veronica Grace," Biogaphical Directory of the United States Congress, U.S. Congress.
16. "Boland, Veronica Grace," in History, Art & Archives," U.S. House of Representatives.
17. "Boland, Veronica Grace," in History, Art & Archives," U.S. House of Representatives.
18. "Boland, Veronica Grace," Biogaphical Directory of the United States Congress, U.S. Congress.