Mary Ellen Withrow
Encyclopedia
Mary Ellen Hinamon Withrow (born October 2, 1930) was the 40th Treasurer of the United States
from March 1, 1994 to January 20, 2001 under President Bill Clinton
.
Withrow was one of the most visible Treasurers in recent history. She frequented coin and currency shows, autographing money (again) for anyone who asked. She was involved in the State Quarters project, the Sacagawea dollar coin
project and the first issue of two dollar notes in nearly 20 years.
She also was Treasurer when the $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes were redesigned in the 1990s.
, Withrow served as the treasurer
of her home state of Ohio
, a position to which she was elected in 1982, 1986, and 1990. Before that, she was elected Treasurer of her native Marion County, Ohio
in 1976 and 1980. This makes her the only person to have held the post of treasurer at all three levels of government — local, state and national.
Withrow began her career in public service in 1969 as the first woman elected to the Elgin Local School Board in Marion County. As Ohio's Treasurer, Withrow instituted new programs, achieved record earnings, and was nationally recognized for her efficient management. Withrow was a Presidential Elector for Ohio in 1992 and a delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention
from Ohio. She again served as a member of the Ohio delegation at the 2004 Democratic National Convention
.
She has been the president of several Treasury-related associations, including the National Association of State Treasurers
, and the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers
.
and a recipient of a Women Executives in State Government fellowship to Harvard University
. Following her retirement from office in January 2001, Withrow became active in the US Treasury's historical society. Withrow's collection of personal documents, photographs, awards and personal papers are housed at the Marion County Historical Society
, Marion, Ohio
. She has recently appeared in television ads supporting Ohio's Issue 3 casino proposal.
Treasurer of the United States
The Treasurer of the United States is an official in the United States Department of the Treasury that was originally charged with the receipt and custody of government funds, though many of these functions have been taken over by different bureaus of the Department of the Treasury...
from March 1, 1994 to January 20, 2001 under President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
.
Withrow was one of the most visible Treasurers in recent history. She frequented coin and currency shows, autographing money (again) for anyone who asked. She was involved in the State Quarters project, the Sacagawea dollar coin
United States dollar coin
Dollar coins have been minted in the United States in gold, silver, and base metal versions. The term silver dollar is often used for any large white metal coin issued by the United States with a face value of one dollar, although purists insist that a dollar is not silver unless it contains some...
project and the first issue of two dollar notes in nearly 20 years.
She also was Treasurer when the $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes were redesigned in the 1990s.
Biography
A native of Marion County, OhioMarion County, Ohio
Marion County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 66,501. Its county seat is the city of Marion and is named for General Francis "The Swamp Fox" Marion, an officer in the Revolutionary War....
, Withrow served as the treasurer
Treasury
A treasury is either*A government department related to finance and taxation.*A place where currency or precious items is/are kept....
of her home state of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, a position to which she was elected in 1982, 1986, and 1990. Before that, she was elected Treasurer of her native Marion County, Ohio
Marion County, Ohio
Marion County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 66,501. Its county seat is the city of Marion and is named for General Francis "The Swamp Fox" Marion, an officer in the Revolutionary War....
in 1976 and 1980. This makes her the only person to have held the post of treasurer at all three levels of government — local, state and national.
Withrow began her career in public service in 1969 as the first woman elected to the Elgin Local School Board in Marion County. As Ohio's Treasurer, Withrow instituted new programs, achieved record earnings, and was nationally recognized for her efficient management. Withrow was a Presidential Elector for Ohio in 1992 and a delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention
2000 Democratic National Convention
The 2000 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention for the Democratic Party. The convention nominated Vice President Al Gore as its candidate for President and Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman as its candidate for Vice President. The convention was held at...
from Ohio. She again served as a member of the Ohio delegation at the 2004 Democratic National Convention
2004 Democratic National Convention
The 2004 Democratic National Convention convened from July 26 to July 29, 2004 at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts, and nominated John Kerry and John Edwards as the official candidates of the Democratic Party for President and Vice President of the United States, respectively, in the 2004...
.
Recognition
Withrow is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Donald L. Scantlebury Memorial Award from the Treasury's Joint Financial Management Improvement Program for financial excellence and improvement in government, and the nation's "Most Valuable State Public Official" by City & State Newspaper in 1990.She has been the president of several Treasury-related associations, including the National Association of State Treasurers
National Association of State Treasurers
The National Association of State Treasurers is a not-for-profit organization consisting of state treasurers or comparable senior finance officials from U.S. states, commonwealths, territories, and the District of Columbia. The association is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky and affiliated with...
, and the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers
National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers
The National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers is an organization for U.S. state officials dealing with the financial management of state governments. Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, NASACT was founded in 1915...
.
Activism
Withrow is an activist for women in government and is a member of the board of directors of Women Executives in State Government, an inductee into the Ohio Women's Hall of FameOhio Women's Hall of Fame
The Ohio Women's Hall of Fame was founded in 1978 and has 356 members. It provides public recognition for the achievements of Ohio women that better their state, their country and their world.-See also:*National Women's Hall of Fame...
and a recipient of a Women Executives in State Government fellowship to Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. Following her retirement from office in January 2001, Withrow became active in the US Treasury's historical society. Withrow's collection of personal documents, photographs, awards and personal papers are housed at the Marion County Historical Society
Marion County Historical Society
The Marion County Historical Society is located in Marion, Ohio. In addition to operating Heritage Hall, a comprehensive museum dedicated to the preservation of Marion County Ohio history, the Society also operates the Rinker-Howser Resource Center, Linn School House and Seiter Cabin...
, Marion, Ohio
Marion, Ohio
Marion is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Marion County. The municipality is located in north-central Ohio, approximately north of Columbus....
. She has recently appeared in television ads supporting Ohio's Issue 3 casino proposal.