As the Democratic Party meets to make history by nominating @KamalaHarris for Vice President, I want to take a moment to reflect on another 1st from #DemocraticConvention history— the 1st woman to chair a party convention: Congresswoman Lindy Boggs of New Orleans in 1976. Thread—

Lindy Boggs got her start in politics as the wife of Congressman Hale Boggs. Their work wielding political power in DC has been described as "one of the most remarkable partnerships in American political history." He became Majority Leader in the House. But in 72, tragedy struck—

On Oct. 16, 1972, Congressman Hale Boggs was in Alaska — on a campaign trip to help then-Congressman Nick Begich's re-election campaign — when the twin-engine Cessna carrying the two Congressmen disappeared off of radar.

It was never found. https://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/hale-boggs-plane-vanishes-in-alaska-oct-16-1972-229692

Following the tragic loss of her husband, and political partner, Lindy Boggs ran in the special election to fill her late husband's seat representing New Orleans. She won— becoming the first woman elected to represent Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives.

One of Congresswoman Boggs’ first major accomplishments, came in '74— when the Banking Committee was writing the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. She added in the provision banning discrimination due to sex or marital status. Take a moment to listen to the story of how she did it.

While in Congress, Rep. Boggs was mindful to support her female colleagues. She founded the Women's Caucus, mentored new members, and pushed for women to have a seat at the table whenever big decisions were made.

@SpeakerPelosi dubbed her the "matriarch" for women in politics.

And in 1976, Congresswoman Lindy Boggs — in a sign of just how astute a leader she was — became the first woman in American political history to chair a major party’s convention.

Her speech from the 1976 #DemConvention

Boggs’ storied career of public service closed w/her serving as ambassador to the Vatican.

"The morning after she arrived, she was told she'd be seated at a table full of cardinals. She mulled it over — “I think I’ll wear red.”

Boggs passed away in 2013. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/28/us/politics/lindy-boggs-longtime-representative-from-louisiana-dies-at-97.html