I didn’t know much about Rep. Kaptur, except that her name was familiar to me. I quickly realized it’s because I’ve seen it on election night news coverage for the past 35 years. After reading last week about her milestone, I thought she deserved a spotlight in my weekly diary.
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Ms. Kaptur started her career as a Democrat by volunteering with the Ohio Democratic Party at age 13. She was also the first member of her family to attend college, with degrees from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan. It was while she was doing doctoral studies at M.I.T. that she was recruited to run for her current seat. She won in an upset. en.wikipedia.org/...
Which brings us to March 18th, 2018 when she became the longest serving woman in the United States House of Representatives. On that day, she had served 35 years, 2 months, and 15 days. The record had previously been held by Rep. Edith Nourse, a Massachusetts Republican. She is also the longest currently serving woman in Congress since the retirements of Sen. Barbara Boxer, and Sen. Barbara Mikulski.
Rep. Kaptur was first elected in 1982; a year that saw the Democrats pick up 27 seats in the House, which was apparently more than predicted. Perhaps it foreshadows what could happen this year for the Democrats?
Here’s a short list of what else was happening in 1982:
- The Reagan recession started
- Michael Jackson’s Thriller was released
- Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, which brought war with the UK
- Median home price was $67,800, but interest rates were 11.5%
- Avg income was $21,050
- 60 Minutes topped the Nielsen ratings
- Bill Clinton regained the Governorship of Arkansas
It seems so long ago, which makes sense since it was 35+ years ago!
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Naturally, accolades rolled in for Rep. Kaptur, and a crowded reception was held in her honor on March 14th.
In the bipartisan celebration, Pelosi called Kaptur an "icon," a "trailblazer" and an "example to the rest of us."
I think one of the most poignant comments came from Rep. Maxine Waters
Waters said she thinks about Kaptur every evening as she leaves the Capitol: "On my drive, I pass by the marvelous, beautiful World War II national memorial, which would not exist but for the tireless work of Congresswoman Kaptur."Kaptur first introduced the legislation to build the memorial in 1987.
Here’s what Rep. Kaptur had to say about the historical moment
"For all of those women who are carrying America into the 21st century,"Kaptur said, "how wonderful it is to be on this journey."