Azie Taylor Morton

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Azie Taylor Morton (February 1, 1936 – December 7, 2003) served as Treasurer of the United States during the Carter administration (September 12, 1977 to January 20, 1981). She remains the only African American to hold that office. Her signature was printed on U.S. currency during her tenure; this is an honor she shared with four African American men. The four African American men whose signatures appeared on the currency were Blanche K. Bruce, Judson W. Lyons, William T. Vernon and James C. Napier. These men served as Registers of the Treasury. Until the series 1923 currency, the two signatures on almost all currency (except Fractional Currency and Demand Notes) were of the Treasurer and the Register. During this period four of the 17 registers were African American.

Morton was born in Dale, Texas and graduated from Hutson-Tillotson College in Austin. Her first job was teaching at a school for delinquent girls. Before becoming Treasurer, she served on President John F. Kennedy's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity. She was also an election observer for the presidential elections in Haiti, Senegal, and the Dominican Republic; a member of the American Delegation to Rome, Italy for the Enthronement of Pope John Paul II; chair of a People to People Mission to the Soviet Union and China; and a representative to the first African/African American Conference held in Africa. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Azie Taylor married James Homer Morton on May 29, 1965. They had two daughters. On December 6, 2003, she suffered a stroke at her home in Bastrop County, Texas, and died of complications the next day.

Preceded by Francine Irving Neff

Treasurer of the United States 1977—1981

Succeeded by Angela Marie Buchanan

[edit] External link

• Soulciti.com: Azie Taylor Morton 1936-2003