Nellie Tayloe Ross

Ross writes soon after her marriage to William B. Ross  regarding their wedding, her warm feelings about William, and her first impressions of Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Ross writes of a gubernatorial trip that included Casper, Cody, Lander, Sheridan, Jackson, Yellowstone NP, and towns along the route. She also mentions a commemoration for the death of Pres. Warren G. Harding and her husband's difficulty writing a speech for it.

A letter with details regarding Ross' life as wife of the Wyoming governor.

Letter describing the Ross's trip to Washington, D.C. and associated high costs.

Description of holiday preparations for the Wyoming governor's mansion and gifts they received of holly, mistletoe, and Spanish moss. The latter would have been a reminder of Nellie's southern upbringing.

Ross writes of the Teapot Dome scandal and of dinner guests that included two special counsels investigating and pursuing civil and criminal charges in relation to the scandal: U.S. Senator Atlee Pomerene (D-Ohio) and Republican attorney Owen Roberts as well as an inebriated but fascinating Martin W. Littleton, who was a prominent attorney defending oilman Harry Sinclair.

Ross writes of her despair upon the death of her husband. Also of her nomination for a special election for governor following his death. 

Ross writes before her gubernatorial inauguration of the large number of people who want to interview her and of domestic matters.

A cartoon by William A. Rogers depicting Uncle Sam tipping his hat to newly inaugurated Governor of Wyoming Nellie Tayloe Ross. A note on the cartoon reads: "The cartoon appeared in the Washington Star on March 4, 1925."

Ross writes to Ambrose (born 1903) of her wish for him to do well in life, her firing of an "erratic" game warden, her desire to attend the Woman's World Fair, and that the governorship is a "real task." 

Ross' assistant Ruth writes to Ambrose of his mother's fine reception at the Woman's World Fair in Chicago.

Ross' assistant writes to Ambrose of his mother being a "drawing card" for the Woman's World Fair in Chicago and of their experiences at the fair.

Ross writes of sitting as judge at an executive hearing for a county sheriff and of people coming from miles to see "how a woman Governor performs." She also mentions the many speeches she has to do and that she doesn't use notes.

Ross writes to her son of a trip to northern Wyoming to do speeches and of the workload of being Wyoming governor.

Ross describes her time at a Governors' conference with teenage son Bradford in tow and of the glamour, including a yacht excursion and meeting "many millionaires."

Ross expresses surprise at herself - George's "simple little sister" - presiding over a governors' conference in Denver regarding water rights as well as the number of speeches she is to give, her concerns about making mistakes, and family issues.

Ross describes her concerns over her twin sons George and Ambrose, particularly financial concerns. She not only faced the heavy duties of the governorship, she was also a single mother.

Ross writes of her excitement over the attention she is receiving as first woman governor during an East Coast visit. She is accompanied by one of her main advisors (and future Wyoming U.S. Senator) Joseph O'Mahoney and his wife Agnes.

First of  three installments by Ross of her time as governor. 

Second of three installments by Ross of her time as governor. 

Third of three installments by Ross of her time as governor. 

Nelle Ramsey of the Florida Army of Democratic Women writes of her behind-the-scenes efforts to have Nellie Tayloe Ross appointed as Director of the U.S. Mint when Franklin D. Roosevelt takes office as U.S. President. Women's clubs across the U.S. were in support of Ross' appointment to FDR's Cabinet. 

Denver resident Puckett, formerly of Greybull, WY, writes to Greybull resident Lizabeth Wiley of the need to get Wyoming women behind the appointment of Nellie Tayloe Ross to FDR's Cabinet.

Ross writes of campaigning for Franklin D. Roosevelt for U.S. President and of renting an apartment and having taking to take a roommate. She also mentions her youngest son Bradford passing the bar exam and his upcoming internship with a prominent attorney.

Ross expresses happiness at the dividend check she received from her brother George, who was assisting her with finanicial affairs. Finances were always a concern for her.

Ross describes the number of social events in Washington, D.C. she has to attend in addition to her workload at the U.S. Mint.

Ross writes of always feeling the need to be frugal, even denying herself comforts. She mentions drawing away from social events and spending more time at her Maryland farm.

George comforts his sister Nellie by writing that he believes she is comfortably well off and that he and her other brother Alfred will support her if ever their help is needed. He also provides financial advice.

Ross writes of preparing for her son Bradford's upcoming wedding while also working, commenting "You men breadwinners have your wives at home doing for you the things that a woman in an office has to do for herself."

Ross writes of her Maryland farm, of having to cancel speaking engagements due to an injury, her son George's promotion, and of her son Bradford and his wife Dorothy.

Ross writes of activities in Washington, D.C., around Franklin D. Roosevelt's inaugural for a third term as U.S. President.

Ross writes of the death of a friend's husband during World War II and of visiting the Denver Mint recently, commenting "There's no rest for anybody in this service."

Ross comments that, although she wanted to retire, she accepted reappointment as U.S. Mint Director. She states, "I'll confess that one thing that weakened my determination to quit was pride lest it might appear that I couldn't be reappointed."

Ross writes of a trip to Cheyenne and of her desire to procure a women internee from the Heart Mountain Relocation Center to act as a servant in her household. She adds that her son Bradford would like the same for his household.

Ross writes of the value of total abstinence from alcohol. She was a staunch supporter of Prohibition in the 1920s. 

Ross thanks George and Nelle for a gift of money and of the workload at the U.S. Mint made worse due to labor shortage caused in part by men serving in World War II.

Ross includes in this letter that she is to meet General and Mrs. Dwight Eisenhower for the first time and that she wishes she could host a party but has issues with her cook. 

Ross writes of her sorrow at the death of her brother George, family matters, her difficulty in finding good household help, and her fascination with an entourage of people in Washington, D.C., who are accompanying a new ambassador from India. 

Ross writes in part that three members of her "Mint family" will be in Memphis, TN, and asks Nelle to invite them for a visit.

Ross expresses love for her sister-in-law and thanks her for a gift of a new gown. She mentions her exhaustion due to work-related travel. Also her visit to the Catskills in New York.

Ross' sister-in-law wrote to Information Please with a correction that Mrs. Ross was actually the first woman governor in the United States not Miriam A. "Ma" Ferguson of Texas. Ross also writes she has been reappointed as Mint Director for another 5 years, and muses about before forced out or quitting.

Ross writes, in part, that the rumors that she has been removed from her position as Director of the U.S. Mint are not true. She mentions that her term will be up May 1, 1953 and she then plans to retire.

Ross reflects on President Harry S. Truman's unexpected electoral victory and of her support for Truman. Also that a congressman would like her to make a speech in Memphis regarding how she directs the Mint.

Ross writes that she is leaving Oct. 25, 1951, for a trip to Spain to submit an exhibit of Mint medals. She notes that she will pay her own way.

Ross describes her trip to Spain.

Ross writes to journalist Lorena Hickok of her experiences as Wyoming governor for a book Hickok and Eleanor Roosevelt are writing that was subsequently titled Ladies of Courage (1954).

Ross writes of plans after she retires from the Mint in 10 days time and of the good wishes from her staff. She is concerned with loneliness once she retires and has taken on a boarder.