Kreps, Juanita (1921–)
Kreps, Juanita (1921–)
American economist and educator. Born Juanita Morris on Jan 11, 1921, in Lynch, KY; dau. of Elmer Morris and Cenia (Blair) Morris; Berea College, AB, 1942; Duke University, MA, 1944, PhD, 1948; m. Clifton H. Kreps (economist), Aug 11, 1944; children: Sarah Blair Kreps; Laura Ann Kreps; Clifton H. Kreps.
Expert in labor economics, had a distinguished career in education, private industry, and public service; taught at Hofstra University until 1954; taught and performed research at Duke University for over 20 years, becoming nationally recognized as an authority on economics of labor in US, focusing on race and gender equity and aging workers; promoted to full professor at Duke (1967) and served as dean of the women's college (1969–72); named 1st female director of NY Stock Exchange; became 1st female vice-president of Duke (1973); served on boards of numerous large corporations; named secretary of commerce by Jimmy Carter (1977), the 1st woman to hold that office, as well as the 1st professional economist; was also only the 5th woman to hold any Cabinet post; as secretary, focused on US trade issues and development of poor regions of US; led a delegation to Beijing, the 1st secretary of commerce to visit China, and helped bring about an important trade agreement; resigned Cabinet post and returned to Duke (1979); became James B. Duke Professor of Economics, Emeritus.
See also Women in World History.