Catherine Maine

**Catherine Maine** *(Born Catherine Jasmine Alexandrea Maine)* is a United States Senator for the Pacific Region, with many years in The US army and political landscape. Catherine rose to influence through the ranks of the military, being one of the first female sergeant first class.

## Early Life

Catherine was born to her Mother, Alexandria-Jasmine Maine, and father, James Maine. She lived in a middle class household in the middle of rural Washington. Her parents were successful raspberry farmers, as well as lucrative dairy farmers. Catherine loved working with her mother in the kitchen and would help her parents whatever way she could. When her older brother had been shipped off to Europe in 1943 she was inspired to join the army, however, law did not allow for women to serve in the army.

## Military Life

Catherine Maine was one of the first women to apply for the army in 1948, there she faced misogyny and discrimination from her superiors; pushing her to move up the ranks faster. Catherine had fought in the Korean war as a Private, moving up the ranks to corporal, then sergeant. She led countless drills with four-to-nine member teams. She was praised by her commanders for having strong common sense and for being brave in the face of her enemies.

   After the end of the Korean War, Catherine continued a career in the military. By 1955, she earned her Staff sergeant role and was moved into the military police. In there, she finally moved up to sergeant first class. By 1958, Catherine grew a distaste of her job and had retired her role as SFC. She was commended for fighting for her country and left with 11 years of military experience.

## Early Politics and Tulsa Council

Catherine was a firm democrat when she joined in the political discussion, she put her name forward for her council district in August of 1959. Maine, from there, had campaigned hard on veteran protection, infrastructure reform and childhood poverty.

Catherine won with a big majority against her competitors, cementing her future within the political landscape.

Catherine dominated the election, being the first female councillor in Tulsa.

1959 Tulsa City Council Election

Catherine resigned as councillor after being convinced into running for her House of Representatives district, she was determined to win and put everything into the election. She would win, cementing her name in US politics.

## House of Representatives (1960-62)

Catherine was known for her no nonsense approach to her policy making, her constituents came first before anything and she would not let go of that.

Her most known bill to pass was:

> **H.R.0765: Authorizing construction of juvenile delinquent rehabilitation center**
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A bill that reshaped the way JDRC's were built and used within the nation, and would limit the extensive punishment brought to the young criminals; this meant that corporal punishment was no longer a driving factor in these children's punishments.

She was the first women to represent the pacific region in the House of Representatives and Chaired the Republican Female Association with ease. Her leadership skills were admired by Minority Leader Everette Dirksen and would be commended to run for speakership, she declined after accepting a position in John. F. Kennedys administration. After her term ended, she packed her bags and left for the Pentagon,