The dissertation examines the life and work of Ruth Bryan Owen, Florida's first woman to serve in Congress, and the first woman to represent the United States in a foreign country as Minister of a diplomatic legation. Born the daughter of William Jennings Bryan in 1885, her early career included work in several arenas: Bryan's presidential campaign secretary and manager, 1908; Chautauqua lecturer, 1919-1928; World War I nurse; author; activist; University of Miami Board of Regents and faculty member, 1925-1928; and Florida's first Congresswoman, 1928-1932. / The dissertation chronicles Owen's congressional causes which ranged from agricultural protectionist legislation, child welfare, citizenship issues, sponsorship of the Everglades National Park and a cabinet-status Department of Home and Child, to education and world peace. Recognizing Owen's leadership abilities, President Franklin Roosevelt appointed her U.S. Minister to Denmark. She served in that diplomatic position from 1933-1936 during the tumultuous era of European nationalism, Nazi fascism, and world-wide depression. In 1945, President Harry Truman appointed Owen as special assistant to the San Francisco Conference to create the United Nations. She later served as an alternate delegate to the 4th United Nations General Assembly. In 1949, Owen received Denmark's Medal of Merit for her role in strengthening Danish-American relations and, in 1992, she was posthumously inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame. / The dissertation analyzes not only Owen's life but also a complex country in transition. Although facing many obstacles in achieving political power, women began to organize and to educate one another and the public about their capabilities. The dissertation demonstrates how women employed traditionally male techniques to gain access to the system including: networking, lobbying, political patronage, special interest groups, fund raisers, publicity stunts, and personal appearances. Their strategies, causes, and victories established them as active, competent, and indispensable parts of the American political tradition. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-04, Section: A, page: 1075. / Major Professor: William W. Rogers. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1994.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_77149 |
| Contributors | Vickers, Sarah Pauline., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 255 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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