Mary Ellen Withrow

Mary Ellen Withrow
40th Treasurer of the United States
In office March 1, 1994 – January 20, 2001
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Catalina V. Villalpando
Succeeded by	Rosario Marin
Ohio State Treasurer
In office 1983–1994
Preceded by	Gertrude Donahey
Succeeded by	Ken Blackwell
Personal details
Born	(1930-10-02) October 2, 1930 Marion County, Ohio
Political party	Democratic

Withrow's signature, as used on American currency

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.

Biography

A native of Marion County, Ohio, 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.

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, and the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers.

Activism

Withrow and other Treasury officials watch Secretary Summers affix his signature to new currency, 1999

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 Fame 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.