Trailblazing former Republican Rep Kay Granger dies at 83: 'Broke barriers'

Former Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, died on Sunday at the age of 83, with her ex-colleagues remembering her as a trailblazer who broke barriers for women.

Granger was the first woman elected mayor of Fort Worth, Texas, as well as the first Republican woman from the Lone Star State elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first female Republican appropriations chair.

After serving in the U.S. House since 1997, Granger retired in January of last year after health challenges and extended absences from Washington.

Republican lawmakers said they remember Granger as someone who broke barriers for women.

"Kay Granger devoted her life to serving her Fort Worth, Texas community — as a teacher and businesswoman, on the Fort Worth Zoning Commission and City Council, as Mayor, and in Congress for nearly three decades, where she also served as Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee. Throughout her career, she broke barriers for women in public service," House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement.