Anne Brancato, one of the most accomplished Philadelphians in 20th-century politics, overcame a number of barriers to become the first woman elected as a Democrat to the state legislature, writes Patrick Glennon for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Brancato was known for her passionate fight for the rights of the poor and dispossessed while she advocated for women’s empowerment.

Born 115 years ago to Italian immigrants, Brancato entered politics by joining a Democratic club in South Philadelphia. This prompted her to run for the General Assembly. Her odds were not good, as no female Democrat had been elected to the legislature at that time.

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Brancato went door-to-door, delivering campaign literature and giving speeches to constituents. Her efforts paid off, and she was elected as a representative for the Fifth District in 1933.

After four terms, she relinquished her seat in 1940. She briefly returned in 1944 before starting her own business, the Anne Brancato Telephone Answering & Secretarial Service.

Read more about Anne Brancato’s life in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.

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