Minnesota has a strong tradition of progressive politics, so it should come as no surprise that in 1942 it elected Betty Crocker to the U.S. Senate, making her the first woman to serve in that body. Crocker was a household name, having promoted General Mills since 1921 through print advertisements and radio programs. When wartime rationing curbed the market for baking products, Crocker seized the opportunity to jump into politics. Her campaign caused quite a stir, but she won by a landslide. Senator Crocker served a single term, returning to General Mills in 1949 as the postwar baking boom blossomed. The Minnesota Historical Society’s collections include numerous photos and ephemera pieces from Crocker’s history-making run.
Update: No, Betty Crocker didn’t actually serve as a senator. In fact, she isn’t even a real person. The pin was manufactured by General Mills, Minneapolis, Minnesota, by Wendell Northwestern Incorporated, Minneapolis, Minnesota, circa 1950. Click on the photos to see the original, unaltered versions.