1985: Margaret Heckler became the first woman to have served as a member of Congress, a cabinet secretary, and ambassador.

With her appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland by President Ronald Reagan, Margaret Heckler became the first woman to have served as a member of Congress, in a presidential cabinet, and as an ambassador. She represented Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1967-1983, served as Secretary of Health and Human Services from 1983-1985, and was ambassador to Ireland from 1985-1989.