The Honorable Sue Myrick

U.S. Representative from North Carolina (January 3, 1995-January 3, 2013)

Spurred into action by a local land dispute, Sue Myrick began her political career on the city council before making history as the first woman mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. Myrick used her experience and name recognition to win a seat in Congress, achieving another milestone as the first Republican woman elected to Congress from North Carolina. In her interview, Myrick recalls her time as freshman class liaison, a position that provided unique access to the leadership during a monumental period that saw Republicans gain control of the House for the first time in 40 years.

In her oral history, Myrick reflects on how her personal fight against breast cancer influenced her legislative career and strengthened her resolve to draw attention to women’s health. She also describes her successful challenge against an institutional tradition that discouraged women Members and staff from wearing pants on the House Floor. During her nearly two decades in the House, she emerged as a spokesperson for conservatives in her party, earning assignments on the influential Rules, Intelligence, and Energy and Commerce committees. In her oral history, Myrick reflects on the role of women in her party and shares her memories of chairing the Republican Study Committee.