United States senators have been elected directly by voters since 1913. Prior to that time, state legislatures chose the stateâ senators.

This activity is designed to accompany the Women in Congress website, history.house.gov/exhibition-and -publications/wic/women-in-congress/. Students have the opportunity to analyze historical photographs associated with women Members of Congress and with women’s history in the United States. Students are encouraged to think more about the role historical photographs can play in the study of past events and people.

This activity is designed to accompany the Artifacts section of the Women in Congress website, history. house.gov/exhibitions-and-publications/wic/artifacts/. Students have the opportunity to analyze artifacts associated with the careers of women who have served in Congress. Students are encouraged to think about the role that artifacts can play in the study of past events and people.

This activity is designed to accompany the Women in Congress website, history.house.gov/exhibition-and -publications/wic/women-in-congress/. Students have the opportunity to analyze a series of statements made by women Members of Congress. Students are encouraged to think about the role that quotes can play in the study of history. (Citations for the quotation exercise used in this activity appear at the end of the “Historical Quotations” document.)