Nellie Tayloe Ross, the Governor Lady

In January 1925, Nellie Tayloe Ross became Wyoming's governor, the first woman, and so far the only woman, to serve in that office.  She also was the first woman in the country to serve as a state's governor, although a Texas woman became her state's governor shortly after Nellie's inauguration.

Nellie's husband, Wililam Bradford Ross, served as Wyoming's governor from 1923 until his untimely death in early October 1924.  An election was held the following month to select someone to serve the final two years of his term.  Nellie ran and won handily.  However, when she ran for reelection she lost.  In 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt appointed her as Director of the U.S. Mint, an office she held for twenty years.  She died in 1977 at the age of 101.

Presented by Rick Ewig, no cost to attend.