Nellie Tayloe Ross becomes governor of Wyoming.

Nellie Tayloe Ross (Right)

Ross was elected governor of Wyoming in 1925. Ross succeeded her husband, Governor William B. Ross’, position after he passed from appendicitis.

“I … do not represent the over-powering, masculine, militant type of ‘politician’ that violates their sense of what the Lord intended a woman should be.” -Governor Ross

Ross’ brother, George, had tried to convince Ross to not run for governor after her husband’s death. Wyoming was a deep red state. He was reportedly also afraid of how losing the election would affect her emotionally with the inclusion of her husband’s death. Although Ross did not turn a deaf to George’s warnings, but she did not let that stop her.

Ross was born on November 29, 1876 in Saint Joseph, Missouri. She was one of her six siblings to live past infancy. Her mother’s family owned a plantation that was a working place of many slaves in Missouri before the Civil War. Ross’ mother owned a mansion that was burned down during the war. Ross’ father had to support his new wife’s entire family after the devastating war.

In 1889, Ross’ mother passed away. The economy in Kansas started to dwindle, so the Tayloes often struggled financially. Once Ross’ father lost his home and business, the family moved to Omaha.

After high school,she received teaching jobs in primarily Italian and Polish neighborhoods. For that reason, she became interested in the public school system and eventually state politics.