Thompson, Ruth

Lawyer Ruth Thompson was Muskegon County register of probate, 1905-25, and probate judge in Michigan from 1925 to 1936. Under the Michigan Constitution, the office of register of probate was an appointed position, and probate judge was elected. She was elected to the Michigan state House of Representatives from Muskegon County's 1st district, 1939-40, and to the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 9th district, 1951-57. She was defeated in the primary in 1956. She was the first woman to represent Michigan in Congress, and the first woman to serve on the H.R. Judiciary committee. Thompson was an advocate for children's rights.In 1954 she introduced legislation to ban the mailing of "obscene, lewd, lascivious or filthy" phonographs (rock and roll). Thompson also served on the Social Security Board in D.C., 1941-42, and was a member and chair of the Michigan Prison Commission for Women.