"Azie Taylor Morton"(February 1,1936-December 7,-2003.)

Was a teacher,politician,and the only African American to hold the position of Treasurer of the

United States.She was to Fleta Hazel Taylor,who was deaf and mute,in the small community of St.John Colony of Dale,Texas.Azie did not know her daddy and was raised by her material grandparents on a small farm.During her adolescence,Azie worked in the cotton fields.She was was not blind,deaf  or an orphan,she attended the Texas Blind,Deaf,and Orphan School during her high school years because there was no high school for African Americans in Dale.She graduated at the top of her class at age 16.In 1952 she enrolled in Huston-Tilloston University,an all-African American college in Austin,Texas.Four years later she graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in commercial education.Azie then attempted to enroll in the University of Texas's graduate program she was denied admission on the grounds that she had insufficient undergraduate courses.Because of the state's segrationist policy baring the enrollment of African Americans in undergraduate programs,she was not able to complete the admission requirements.Azie instead took a job as a teacher in a state-sponsored school for delinquent girls.She held that position for a year and then was hired as Huston-Tillotson's assistant to the President.She remained at Huston-Tilloston for a few months until she was hired to work at the Texas AFL Cio state headquarters in Austin.In 1961 she was invited by President John F.Kennedy to work for the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.She remained with committee for 20 years,filling various positions.Azie married James Homer Morton in 1965.In 1977 Azie accepted President Jimmy Carter's invitation to serve as the 26th Treasurer of the U.S.She held the post from September 12th 1977 until 20th,1981.In addition she was a member of the American Delegation to Rome,Italy for the Entronement of Pope John Paul II in 1978;Chair of the People to People Mission to the Soviet Union and China in 1986;and an Election Observer for Presidential elections in Haiti,Senegal and the Dominican Republic.She was also was a representative to the first African/African American Conference held in Africa.After returning to Austin,Azie served on the Austin Authority Board of Commissioners (HACA) from 1999-2001.In honor of service,the HACA created the Azie Morton Scholarship Fund for low-income students at Huston Tillotson.She experienced a massive stroke at her home in Austin Texas on December 6th 2003.Azie died the following day from complications due to the stroke.