Holt, Marjorie Sewell (1920–)

American politician. Born Marjorie Sewell, Sept 17, 1920, in Birmingham, Alabama; dau. of Edward Roland Sewell and Alice Juanita (Felts) Sewell; Jacksonville (Florida) University, BA, 1945; University of Florida College of Law, JD, 1949; m. Duncan McKay Holt, Dec 26, 1946; children: Rachel Holt Tschantre; Edward Holt; Victoria Holt Stauffer.

Member of US House of Representatives (1973–87), practiced law in Florida for 13 years, then moved to Maryland, where she was admitted to the bar (1962); served as clerk of circuit court in Anne Arundel County (1965–71); was a member of Maryland Governor's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice (1970–72); served as legal counsel for Maryland State Federation of Republican Women (1971–72); was delegate to 4 Republican National Conventions (1968, 1976, 1980, 1984); elected to 93rd Congress for Maryland's 4th District (1972), served through the 99th Congress (1987); as a Cold-War politician, concentrated on national defense and armed forces, and consistently advocated increases in defense spending and enhanced benefits for those in military; pushed for reductions in non-military spending while serving 2 terms on Budget Committee; served on Committee on Armed Services during each of 13 years in the House, becoming the ranking Republican on Subcommittee on Procurement and Military Nuclear Systems in last term in office; was actively opposed to busing of schoolchildren to effect racial integration; chose not to run for reelection (1987); writings include The Case Against the Reckless Congress (1976) and Can You Afford This House (1978).

See also Women in World History.