Jocelyn Birch Burdick

Democrat Senator of North Dakota

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

February 6, 1922 (97 years old)

Birthday

December 26, 2019

Death

Briefly served as a Democratic United States senator in 1992, becoming the first woman from North Dakota to hold this office.
Was the oldest living former U.S. Senator at the age of 97 for the last eight months of her life.
Born into a family with a history of activism, being the great-granddaughter of suffragist and abolitionist Matilda Joslyn Gage and related by marriage to L. Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz.
Changed her political affiliation from Republican to Democrat after marrying Senator Quentin N. Burdick.
Worked as a radio announcer before entering politics and was actively engaged in civic activities, including being part of the official U.S. delegation to Russia in 1978 and founding Democratic Women Plus in the early 1980s.
Appointed to the U.S. Senate after the death of her husband, Senator Quentin Burdick, and served from September to December 1992, focusing on legislation related to pay equity and women’s rights.
Did not run for election to continue serving in the Senate beyond her brief appointment.
Remained active in politics and lived in Fargo, North Dakota, after retiring from the Senate.
Was a devout Christian Scientist and had three children, with her son Birch Burdick serving as Cass County State Attorney from 1998 to 2022.
Died in Fargo on December 26, 2019, at the age of 97.