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Millicent Fenwick
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Image:Millicent_Fenwick.jpg thumb|Millicent Hammond Fenwick (1910-1992)
'''Millicent Hammond Fenwick''' (
February 25,
1910 –
September 16,
1992) was an
United States American fashion editor,
politician and
diplomat. A long-time
United States Republican Party Republican member of the
United States House of Representatives from
New Jersey, she entered politics late in life and was renowned for her energy and colorful enthusiasm. She was regarded as a moderate and progressive within her party and was outspoken in favor of
civil rights and the
women's movement.
She was born in
New York City. Her mother died five years later in the sinking of the ''
Lusitania''. Raised in comfortable circumstances, she attended college at
Columbia University and the
New School for Social Research. She married and divorced, and worked for 14 years
as an editor at ''
Vogue magazine Vogue'', with a wardrobe and style to match the position.
In the
1960s, the elegant fifty-something Fenwick became involved in politics via the
Civil Rights Movement. Often described as being blessed with exceptional intelligence, striking good looks, and a keen wit, she rose rapidly in the ranks of the Republican Party. Elected to Congress from New Jersey in
1974 at age sixty-four, she became a media darling.
Television commentator
Walter Cronkite called her "the conscience of
United States Congress Congress." During her four terms in the House of Representatives, she emerged as arguably one of the most colorful politicians in American history. She was known for her opposition to corruption by both parties and special interest groups. She was one of the most liberal Republicans in the House, which is somewhat typical for Republicans from New Jersey. In
1982, she ran for New Jersey's junior seat in the
U.S. Senate, but lost the general election to businessman
Frank Lautenberg.
She was the model for the character of Lacey Davenport in
Garry Trudeau's comic strip ''
Doonesbury''. Trudeau's Lacey arrived in Congress two years later than Fenwick did in real life.
Fenwick once participated in a hearing where a conservative male congressman attacked a piece of equal rights legislation with the words, "I’ve always thought of
women as kissable, cuddly, and smelling good." Fenwick responded:
:"That’s what I’ve always thought about men, and I hope for your sake that you haven’t been disappointed as many times as I’ve been." ([http://www.chiasmus.com —Dr. Mardy's Quotes of the Week], February 21-27, 2004)
She was one of the few female pipe smokers.
She also served as U.S. Representative to the
United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture.
She died at the age of 82 from undisclosed causes in 1992.
A biography, ''Millicent Fenwick: Her Way'' by Amy Schapiro, appeared in
2003.
Electoral history
*'''1982 Race for U.S. Senate'''
**
Frank Lautenberg (D), 51%
**Millicent Fenwick (R), 48%
External link
-
MillicentFenwick.com
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{{succession box | before=
Peter Frelinghuysen, Jr. .html">US Congressional Delegations from New Jersey
5th District of New Jersey.html" title="Meaning of title=U.S. House of Representatives
5th District of New Jersey | years=1975–1983 | after=District eliminated}}
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Category:1910 births Fenwick, Millicent
Category:1992 deaths Fenwick, Millicent
Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey Fenwick, Millicent
Category:New Jersey politicians Fenwick, Millicent
Category:People from New Jersey Fenwick, Millicent
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