Doll-sized dress made of maps of Kansas and oceanic currents. This dress is embroidered and trimmed with fringe.

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Kathryn O’Loughlin McCarthy was the first woman from Kansas in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Born and raised in Hays, KS, Kathryn obtained her law degree from the University of Chicago and passed the Kansas bar in 1929.

During her campaign for Congress in 1932 she defeated eight men in the Democratic primary, traveled approximately 30,000 miles, and gave as many as 12 speeches per day.  As congresswoman, McCarthy was active in influencing New Deal agricultural policy.  O'Loughlin continued to help others after her political career ended. She paid tuition at Fort Hays State University and housed many low-income African American students. She also advocated for better treatment of women in the state's prisons.