A Historic First for Washington Electors
Mrs. Samuel G. Cosgrove becomes the first woman in the nation to deliver a state’s electoral votes to Washington, D.C.
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Washington established a national precedent when Mrs. Samuel G. Cosgrove, widow of former Governor Cosgrove, left for the east on the Northern Pacific North Coast Limited with the seven Republican electoral votes for President Coolidge’s re-election. According to a check from the national capitol, although other women have served as electors, this is the first time in the history of the nation that a woman acted as messenger in delivering a state’s electoral votes to Washington, D.C. Mrs. Cosgrove was appointed carrier by her fellow electors at Olympia, January 12. She was chosen not only because she received the largest number of votes of any elector in the state but also in deference to her long and faithful service to the Republican party.
“This is the first time in the history of the nation that a woman acts as messenger in delivering a state’s electoral votes to Washington, D. C.”
While women had achieved the franchise, this story highlights the 'firsts' that marked the post-suffrage era, where women began navigating high-level party politics and federal ceremonial roles once reserved exclusively for men.
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