4 Answers

The first woman to act as governor was Carolyn B. Shelton, who served as "acting governor" of Oregon for one weekend -- 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, through 10 a.m. Monday, March 1 -- in 1909. The outgoing governor, George Earle Chamberlain, had been elected to the Senate and had to leave for Washington, D.C., before his term was over, and the incoming governor, Frank W. Benson, had gotten sick and couldn't start early. Chamberlain left Shelton, his "Chief of Staff," in charge for the weekend. Ironically enough, it would be another three and a half years before women would be allowed to vote in Oregon. (As a side note, Chamberlain and Shelton married each other 17 years later. This is the only case of two ex-governors marrying each other in Oregon history.)

The first acting governor to be entrusted with substantial duties while in office was Soledad Ch?vez Chac?n, who held the office of Governor of New Mexico for 2 weeks in 1924 while Governor James F. Hinkle attended the Democratic Convention in New York. Lieutenant Governor Jose A. Baca had died unexpectedly in May, so Chac?n, the Secretary of State, filled the position. Chac?n said she believed that her 1924 elevation was the first time in the U.S. that a woman had been called on to assume the responsibilities of governor.

The first elected female governor was Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming (coincidentally, the first state to provide women's suffrage) who was elected on November 4, 1924 and sworn in on January 5, 1925. She was preceded in office by her late husband William B. Ross. Also elected on November 4 was Miriam A. Ferguson of Texas, succeeding her impeached husband James Edward Ferguson, but she was not sworn in until January 20, 1925. The first female governor elected without being the wife or widow of a past state governor was Ella T. Grasso of Connecticut, elected in 1974 and sworn in on January 8, 1975.

13 years ago. Rating: 4
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The state of confusion. Sorry, but I couldn't resist.

13 years ago. Rating: 2
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You lead with your chin romanov if you happen to be of the female persuasion.

I am amazed one of the cheeky men on here did not say " All women should be on a lead"
Not me thugh I am not one of the cheeky ones. snigger,

13 years ago. Rating: 0
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not sure about your ? but alabama had a female governor decades before any other state. dont be too impressed she was a puppet for one of the governors,but best politicians of modern history.

13 years ago. Rating: 0
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