Coya Knutson

ABOUT COYA KNUTSON

The first woman elected to Congress from Minnesota. She served in the US House Representative from 1951 to 1955, when her vindictive husband and political opponents teamed up to unseat her.

With a working-class background and no family in politics, she surprised everyone by handily defeating the six-term Republican incumbent.

Her accomplishments in office were overshadowed by her husband's 'Coya Come Home' campaign, implying, falsely, she abandoned her family for her political ambitions.

She sought refuge from her abusive husband in politics, and often had to wear dark glasses to hide her bruises from fellow member of Congress.

Marcy Kaptur was another prominent female House of Representatives member, and one of the longest-serving House members.