Catherine Small Long facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Catherine Small Long
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 8th district |
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| In office March 30, 1985 – January 3, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Gillis William Long |
| Succeeded by | Clyde C. Holloway |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mary Catherine Small
February 7, 1924 Dayton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | November 23, 2019 (aged 95) Chevy Chase, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Gillis William Long
(m. 1947; died 1985) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Louisiana State University (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Rank | Pharmacist's mate 2nd class (PhM2c) |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Mary Catherine Small Long (born Mary Catherine Small; February 7, 1924 – November 23, 2019) was an American politician. She served as a U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 8th congressional district. She held this position from 1985 to 1987. She took over the role after her husband, Gillis William Long, passed away. The 8th district was located in Central Louisiana near Alexandria. Catherine Long was the first woman military veteran to be elected to the U.S. Congress. She had served in the United States Navy as a WAVE.
Early Life and Education
Mary Catherine Small was born on February 7, 1924, in Dayton, Ohio. She went to school in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. During World War II, she served in the United States Navy. She worked as a hospital corpsman, helping to care for sick or injured people. After the war, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in 1948.
Political Career
Before becoming a politician, Catherine Long worked in the U.S. Navy as a pharmacist's mate. This role involved helping with medical tasks. Later, she worked as a staff assistant for two important politicians: Senator Wayne Morse from Oregon and Representative James G. Polk from Ohio.
In January 1985, her husband, Gillis William Long, who was the U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 8th district, passed away. This created an open spot in Congress. Catherine Long decided to run for the seat. Many wives of other U.S. Representatives came to Louisiana to help her campaign.
She won a special election to fill the empty seat. She defeated several other candidates, including Clyde C. Holloway, a Republican, and Jock Scott, a Democrat.
In 1986, Catherine Long chose not to run for a full term as a congresswoman. The 8th District was known for usually voting for Democrats. However, in the next election, Clyde C. Holloway won the seat.
A former politician named Bill Dodd wrote about Catherine Long in his book. He described her as the "perfect political wife." She was known for having a voting record in Congress that supported liberal ideas.
Personal Life
Catherine Small married Gillis William Long in 1947. They had two children together. Their son, George Harrison Long, was born on October 13, 1954. Their daughter, Janis Catherine Long, was born on March 25, 1957.
Death
Catherine Small Long passed away on November 23, 2019. She was 95 years old. She died from problems related to dementia at a care facility in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
See also
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
- Speedy Long
