Kathryn O'Loughlin McCarthy

A Kansas Portrait

Although Kansas has been predominantly a Republican state, the first Kansas woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives was a Democrat. Kathryn O'Loughlin McCarthy was a native of Ellis County, born in 1894, the daughter of Kansas Representative John O'Loughlin. She began her political career in 1921 as a clerk of the House Judiciary Committee, after passing the Kansas Bar Exam. Later, she practiced law in Illinois and became involved in legal aid in Chicago. In 1929, Kathryn returned to Kansas and began her campaign for state legislature. She was elected in 1930, then she ran for sixth district representative, two years later. She defeated eight men in the primary and then was elected to Congress, (1932) winning by 13,000 votes. She had overcome great odds, being a single woman Democrat in a largely Republican district.

During her campaign, Kathryn met Daniel McCarthy of Mankato, whom she married in 1933. McCarthy's political career was brief. She was defeated in 1934 by Frank Carlson. Her constituency had become discontented with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal agricultural policy and the Republicans once again took control of the district.

As the first woman to represent Kansas in Washington, Kathryn O'Loughlin McCarthy broke the ground for the women who followed.