Elizabeth Hawley Gasque

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Elizabeth Hawley Gasque Van Exem
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 6th district
In office September 13, 1938 – January 3, 1939
Preceded by	Allard Henry Gasque
Succeeded by	John L. McMillan
Personal details
Born	(1886-02-26)February 26, 1886 Blythewood, South Carolina
Died	November 2, 1989(1989-11-02) (aged 103) Ridgeway, South Carolina
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Allard H. Gasque
Alma mater	Greenville Woman's College
Profession	Author, lecturer

Elizabeth Gasque Van Exem (February 26, 1886 – November 2, 1989), named Elizabeth Hawley Gasque during her tenure in Congress, was a Congresswoman from South Carolina, the first woman elected to Congress from that state.

She was elected to the House of Representatives on September 13, 1938, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband, Congressman Allard Henry Gasque. She never actually attended Congress, which was not in session during her months of office.

She served from 1938 to January 3, 1939 and was not a candidate for re-nomination. Mrs. Gasque later was an author and lecturer and was the longest lived member of either the House of Representatives or the Senate. The Social Security death records say she was born in 1893, under her later married name of Van Exem.^[1] However, census records support the 1886 birth year.

She died aged 103 in Ridgeway, South Carolina where she lived.^[2] She was the Longest lived member in Congress since Maurice Thatcher when he died in 1973. In 1982, a section of South Carolina state road was named the Elizabeth Gasque Van Exem Highway.

See also[]

• Women in the United States House of Representatives

Sources[]

• United States Congress. "Elizabeth Hawley Gasque (id: G000093)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

References[]

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