I thought that honor belonged to Frances Perkins, who served as FDR's Labor Secretary beginning in 1933. When Armstrong was about five years old.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Perkins

Trust a Republican to lie about something for political gain, especially when the truth reveals the 'progressive pioneering' ends up an actual credit to a Democrat. They'll do it every time.

To some extent the appearance of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears -- people complain about it -- they should just relax and enjoy it.

Joe Lieberman responding to criticism of John McCain's latest ad.

That is a hell of a long list of accomplishments. More women like her, please!

I don't really understand why a woman would go Republican, but my mom is one too, so it happens :) She's still admirable. How many of us step up and work that hard for what we believe in?

That's immediately what I thought of too. Though while she was not the first female cabinet member she was the first female Counselor to the President. Upon rereading it that makes Rick Perry's statement correct, albeit confusing.

I was reading through his accolades and thinking, "Damn, this speaker is a man, and all he is saying is positive, so how are they going to slam him?!"

Wow, a man can say something that isn't denigrating to women. It's going to be a good day...

. . . back when Republicans were pro-choice and in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment. That was a *long* time ago.

Is this a reaction to the criticism you received for your less-than-A-list attention to the passings of Molly Ivins, Lady Bird Johnson and other elder stateswomen over the past year or so?

Great to learn that you respond to your readers!

RIP Anne et al. Your "daughters" thank you!

This grand lady was the first victim of the bush neocon blitzkrieg. When twig was elected governor of Texas Ms. Armstrong was steamrolled by what we now know of as Rove-ing tactics. Too bad. Worse, Florida fell for it.