Nellie Tayloe Ross

Nellie Tayloe Ross (November 29, 1876 - December 19, 1977) was the first female governor of a U.S. state. Ross was nominated for governor of Wyoming on the Democratic ticket after the death of her husband, William Bradford Ross on October 2, 1924, from complications with appendectomy surgery. She was elected that November 4 and on January 5, 1925, Ross became the first female governor in the United States. Roosevelt appointed her as the first woman director of the U.S. Mint in 1933, where she capably served until her retirement in 1953. She served the longest tenure of any woman, exactly 20 years. After her retirement, Ross contributed articles to various women's magazines and also traveled extensively. She made her last trip to Wyoming in 1972 at age 96.

Interestingly, Mrs. Ross wasn't the only governor later to become a centenarian. Here are some others.

Alfred Mossman Landon (1887-1987), of Kansas.

James Houston "Jimmie" Davis (1899-2000), of Louisiana

Roswell Keyes Colcord (1839-1939), of Nevada. Incidentally, Colcord was also a U.S. Mint director, from 1898-1911.

George Alexander Parks (1883-1984), of the Alaskan Territory

Strom Thurmond (1902-2003), of South Carolina