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Millicent Fenwick (February 25, 1910 - 1992) was a American fashion editor, politician, and diplomat. A long-time Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey, she entered politics late in life and was renowned for her energy and colorful enthusiasm. She was regarded as a moderate and progressive within her party, and was outspoken in favor of Civil Rights and the Women's movement.
She was born in New York City. Her mother died five years later in the sinking of the Lusitania. Raised in comfortable circumstances, she attended college at Columbia University and the New School for Social Research. She married and divorced, and worked for 14 years
as an editor at Vogue, with a wardrobe and style to match the position.
In the 1960s, the elegant fifty-something Fenwick became involved in politics via the Civil Rights Movement. Blessed with
exceptional intelligence, striking good looks, and a keen wit, she rose
rapidly in the ranks of the Republican Party. Elected to congress from New Jersey in 1974 at age sixty-four, she became a media darling. Television commentator Walter Cronkite called her "the conscience of Congress." During her four terms in the House of Representatives, she emerged as one of the most colorful politicians in
American history. She was the model for the character of Lacey Davenport in Garry Trudeau's "Doonesbury" series. Trudeau's Lacey arrived in Congress two years later than Millicent in real life.
Fenwick once participated in a hearing where a conservative male congressman attacked a piece of equal rights legislation with the words, "I’ve always thought of
women as kissable, cuddly, and smelling good." Fenwick responded:
- "That’s what I’ve always thought about men, and I hope for your sake that you haven’t been disappointed as many times as I’ve been." ( —Dr. Mardy's Quotes of the Week (http://www.chiasmus.com), February 21-27, 2004)
She also served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
A biography, Millicent Fenwick: Her Way by Amy Schapiro, appeared in 2003.
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