Rebecca Latimer Felton was appointed to the Senate when the seat became vacant after the death of Senator William J. Harris. Though her Senate career was extremely brief, lasting only from November 21 to November 22, 1922, her appointment was groundbreaking. Felton was an ardent advocate for women's suffrage, temperance, and social reform. Her advocacy work laid the groundwork for her political career, and she had long been a prominent figure in Georgia’s political and social issues. Despite the short-lived nature of her service, her appointment represented an important step towards gender equality in U.S. politics. Felton took the oath of office in a period when women's roles in society were evolving, with the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote, having been ratified just two years earlier in 1920. Felton’s appointment reflected the changes happening across the nation, as more women began to assert their influence in both social and political spheres. 

Throughout her life, Felton was noted not just for her political accomplishments but also as a leader in various social causes, including advocating for the better treatment of African Americans and promoting education. Her brief Senate tenure, though more symbolic, sparked conversations about women's representation and rights and illustrated the beginning of a significant shift in the political landscape of the United States.