Nellie Tayloe Ross Impact On Women

During the 19th century Women still were not allowed to vote or be in politics. Women were an accessory to men; they were pretty and could produce children. They were there to do the cleaning around the house so the men didn’t have to. They weren’t something anyone appreciated. They weren’t “smart enough” to vote, or have anything to do with politics or government because they were women. They weren’t given a chance because men had already decided for them, they didn’t pick to be a woman, yet men acted as if they did. But Nellie Tayloe Ross changed history for all women. Nellie Tayloe Ross was born November 29th, 1876 in Saint Joseph, MO. She was the sixth child and the first daughter of James Wynn and Elizabeth Blair Green. Her

William and Nellie had four children together, George Tayloe, James Ambrose, Alfred Duff and William Bradford jr. William moved his family to Cheyenne, where he established a law practice. William became a Democratic leader in Wyoming, ran for office several times but always lost to republicans. In 1922 William was elected governor of Wyoming, but a year and a half in office he passed away on October 2nd, 1924. After Williams passing, the Democratic party elected Nellie to run in the special election that would be held the following month. Nellie refused to campaign but easily won on November 4th, 1924. And on January 5th, 1925 Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first female governor and made

Nellie urged Wyoming to ratify a federal amendment prohibiting child labor laws, and advocated to strengthen prohibition laws. Nellie ran for re-election, but was defeated. Nellie blamed herself for the loss, but Franklin Roosevelt, who was President at the time, made Nellie director of Mint on May 3rd, 1933 making her the first woman to hold that position. Nellie and Mints assistant director, Mary Margaret O’Reilly “the sweetheart of treasury” had worked there since 1904 and was jealous of Nellie, Nellie and Eleanor Roosevelt also had poor relations. In 1953 Nellie reached the retirement age of 70 and requested that O’Reilly be exempt, but O’Reilly got two extensions and then retired. Nellie served five full terms until retirement in 1953 and was succeeded by William H. Brett. After Nellies retirement at Mint she was known for establishing the Franklin half dollar and making the proof coins for public sale. After retiring, she contributed in articles of magazines and traveled extensively. Her last trip was to Wyoming in 1972 at age 96. Five years later she died in Washington D.C. at the age of 101.This made her the oldest ex-governor in the United States. She was buried in her family plot in Lakeview cemetery in