Nellie Tayloe Ross (November 29, 1876 – December 19, 1977) was an American politician who achieved two significant "firsts" for women in U.S. political history: she was the first woman to be sworn in as a state governor in the United States and the first woman to serve as Director of the United States Mint.
Early Life and Education
Born Nellie Tayloe in St. Joseph, Missouri, she was the sixth child of James Wynns Tayloe, a planter originally from Tennessee, and Elizabeth Blair Green. Her family moved to Miltonvale, Kansas, when she was seven, before eventually settling in Omaha, Nebraska. Ross attended a private kindergarten and later a normal school (teacher training institution) for one year. Although she did not complete a college degree, she was a diligent student and developed a strong interest in literature and writing.
Marriage and Family
In 1902, Nellie Tayloe married William Bradford Ross, a lawyer whom she had met during a visit to her cousins in Dover, Tennessee. They soon moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where William established a successful law practice. The couple had four sons: George, James, Alfred, and William, though two of their sons, James and Alfred, died in infancy, and William died at age 17 during her governorship. Her husband, William B. Ross, entered politics, eventually serving as prosecuting attorney for Laramie County and then as a delegate to the Wyoming Constitutional Convention. In 1922, he was elected Governor of Wyoming as a Democrat.
Governorship of Wyoming
William B. Ross died suddenly from appendicitis on October 2, 1924, less than two years into his term. Following his death, the Democratic Party of Wyoming nominated Nellie Tayloe Ross to run in the special election to fill the remainder of her husband's term. Although initially reluctant, she agreed, largely due to public pressure and a desire to continue her husband's policies.
On November 4, 1924, Ross was elected governor of Wyoming, winning by a significant margin. She was sworn into office on January 5, 1925, becoming the first female governor in U.S. history. Her victory occurred on the same day as Miriam "Ma" Ferguson's election as governor of Texas, but Ross took office two weeks earlier.
During her two-year term, Governor Ross focused on continuing her husband's progressive policies, advocating for tax relief for farmers, stricter enforcement of prohibition laws, government reorganization, and social welfare programs. She also promoted the state's natural resources and urged the legislature to support education and industrial development. She ran for re-election in 1926 but was narrowly defeated.
Director of the U.S. Mint
After her governorship, Ross remained active in the Democratic Party. She served as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and director of the Women's Division of the DNC from 1928 to 1934, campaigning for presidential candidate Al Smith and later for Franklin D. Roosevelt.
In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Nellie Tayloe Ross as Director of the United States Mint. She was the first woman to hold this position. Her appointment was significant, as it placed a woman in charge of a major federal agency during the Great Depression. Ross served five consecutive terms, from May 3, 1933, to February 17, 1953, making her the longest-serving Mint Director.
During her tenure, Ross oversaw the Mint's operations through the Great Depression and World War II, periods of significant change in U.S. coinage. She managed the shift from gold coinage to a purely fiat currency system following the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 and introduced several commemorative coins. She was a strong advocate for public outreach and education about the Mint's history and functions. She remained in office until her retirement at the age of 76.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring from the U.S. Mint, Ross continued to write and remained active, traveling extensively. She wrote articles for various magazines and gave speeches. She lived to be 101 years old, dying in Washington, D.C., on December 19, 1977. She is buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Nellie Tayloe Ross left a lasting legacy as a pioneer for women in American politics and public service. Her achievements as the first female governor and the first female Director of the U.S. Mint paved the way for future generations of women in leadership roles.