After her husband's death in 1971, she was greatly encouraged by Lera Thomas and other friends to run for George's office as she could carry on his legacy. Andrews announced her candidacy on January 1, 1972 and received the endorsement of Alabama Governor George Wallace. Running unopposed, she was elected as a Democrat by special election to the Ninety-second Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband, United States Representative George W. Andrews. She served the remainder of that Congress from April 4, 1972 to January 3, 1973. She was not a candidate for reelection to the Ninety-third Congress in 1972. She remained the only woman elected to represent Alabama in either House of Congress until the elections of Representatives Martha Roby and Terri Sewell in 2010.