Azie Taylor Morton

Azie Taylor Morton
Official Portrait
36th Treasurer of the United States
In office September 12, 1977 – January 20, 1981
President	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	Francine Irving Neff
Succeeded by	Angela Marie Buchanan
Personal details
Born	(1936-02-01)February 1, 1936 Dale, Texas, U.S.
Died	Bastrop County, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democrat
Spouse(s)	James Homer Morton
Religion	Baptist
Signature	Azie Taylor Morton's signature

Azie Taylor Morton (February 1, 1936 – December 7, 2003) served as Treasurer of the United States during the Carter administration from 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.

Biography

Morton was born in Dale, Texas and graduated from Huston-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. From 1972 to 1976, she was a special assistant to Robert Schwarz Strauss, then chair of the Democratic National Committee. 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.

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

References

Political offices
Preceded by Francine Irving Neff	Treasurer of the United States 1977—1981	Succeeded by Angela Marie Buchanan

External links

• Soulciti.com: Azie Taylor Morton 1936-2003