Clark, Georgia Neese (1900–1995)

First woman treasurer of the United States. Born on January 27, 1900, in Richland, Kansas; died on October 26, 1995; daughter of a businessman; B.A. in economics from Washburn College (now Washburn University); married George M. Clark (a theatrical manager), in January 1929 (divorced); married A.J. Gray, in January 1953.

The signature of Georgia Neese Clark was the first of any woman's to appear on U.S. currency. Appointed treasurer by Harry Truman in 1949, she served in that capacity until 1953.

The daughter of a wealthy businessman, Clark graduated in 1921 from Washburn College (now Washburn University of Topeka) with a B.A. in economics. She spent the 1920s in New York pursuing a career in the theater and was with Earl Carroll's company for a time. Clark worked with various touring stock companies and in 1929 married her manager, from whom she would later be divorced. In 1930, Clark returned to Kansas to care for her ailing father. During the Depression, she took over his business interests, replacing him as president of the Richland State Bank after his death in 1937.

During the Roosevelt years, Clark became active in Democratic politics. In 1936, she was elected to the Democratic National Committee, and in 1948 she put her efforts to the candidacy of Harry Truman. Predicted to lose, Truman was especially thankful to those who had stood by him. When he appointed Clark treasurer in 1949, she became the first woman to hold the position in U.S. history. She left the treasury in 1953, when the Republicans took the presidency. Dwight Eisenhower was careful to appoint a woman to replace her, and the post has been regularly filled by a woman since that time. Clark returned to Kansas and married A.J. Gray. She was to remain a member of the Democratic National Committee for some years. The Richland Bank, of which Clark retained presidency, relocated in 1964 and was renamed the Capital City State Bank. In 1967, for a few months Clark served as chair of the advisory council of the Small Business Administration.