Milestones for Women In Politics

Nellie Tayloe Ross (WY)

Period: Jan 5, 1925 to Jan 3, 1927

Nellie Tayloe Ross, a Wyoming Democrat, became the nation's first woman governor, elected to replace her deceased husband. She served for two years. Later, she became vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and director of the U.S. Mint. At the 1928 Democratic National Convention, she received 31 votes on the first ballot for Vice President.

Miriam Amanda Wallace "Ma" Ferguson (TX)

Period: Jan 20, 1925 to Jan 17, 1927

Miriam "Ma" Ferguson (TX)

Period: Jan 17, 1933 to Jan 15, 1935

Lurleen Wallace (AL)

Period: Jan 19, 1967 to May 7, 1968

Ella Grasso (CT)

Period: Jan 8, 1975 to Dec 31, 1980

Dixy Lee Ray (WA)

Period: Jan 12, 1977 to Jan 14, 1981

Vesta Roy (NH)

Period: Dec 30, 1982 to Jan 6, 1983

Martha Layne Collins (KY)

Period: Dec 13, 1983 to Dec 8, 1987

Madeleine Kunin (VT)

Period: Jan 10, 1985 to Jan 10, 1991

Kay Orr (NE)

Period: Jan 9, 1987 to Jan 9, 1991

Rose Mofford (AZ)

Period: Apr 4, 1988 to Mar 6, 1991

Joan Finney (KS)

Period: Jan 14, 1991 to Jan 9, 1995

Barbara Roberts (OR)

Period: Jan 14, 1991 to Jan 9, 1995

Ann Richards (TX)

Period: Jan 15, 1991 to Jan 17, 1995

Christine Todd Whitman (NJ)

Period: Jan 18, 1994 to Jan 31, 2001