By The Inspiring Journey of Azie Taylor Morton
The Signature of Success: The Inspiring Journey of Azie Taylor Morton
​History is often written by those who hold the pen, but for Azie Taylor Morton, history was written by her signature. Rising from a small town in segregated Texas to the highest echelons of the United States Treasury, Morton’s life is a testament to the power of resilience and the pursuit of excellence against all odds.
​A Foundation Built on Resilience
​Born in Dale, Texas, to a single mother, Azie was raised by her maternal grandparents in a community that lacked basic educational infrastructure for Black students. Because there was no high school available to her in her hometown due to racial segregation, she was forced to move to Austin to attend the Texas Blind, Deaf, and Orphan School.
​Despite these unconventional beginnings, Azie’s academic brilliance was undeniable. She graduated at the age of 16 and enrolled at Huston-Tillotson College, a prestigious Historically Black College (HBCU). In 1956, she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Commercial Education, setting the stage for a career in public service.
​From the Classroom to the White House
​Morton’s early career began in the classroom, teaching at a school for delinquent girls. However, her talent for organization and advocacy quickly led her to the labor movement. In 1957, she broke barriers as a staff member for the Texas AFL-CIO, a major labor union.
​Her expertise eventually caught the attention of national leaders. She moved to Washington, D.C., to join President John F. Kennedy’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC). This marked the beginning of two decades of dedicated service in the public sector, where she fought for labor rights and equal opportunities for all Americans.
​Making Her Mark on American Currency
​The pinnacle of her career arrived on September 12, 1977, when President Jimmy Carter appointed her as the 36th Treasurer of the United States. This was a historic milestone: Azie Taylor Morton became the first and, to date, the only African American to hold this position.
​For three years, every piece of U.S. paper currency printed bore her signature. As the Treasurer, her endorsement was required for Federal Reserve notes to become legal tender. For millions of people across the globe, the face of American economic stability was backed by the name of a woman from Dale, Texas.
​A Lasting Legacy in Austin
​Even after her time in the White House, Morton remained committed to her community. She served on the Austin Housing Authority (HACA) and worked tirelessly to improve living conditions for low-income residents.
​Following her passing, her impact was immortalized in her hometown. In 2018, the city of Austin renamed a prominent road formerly named after Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Azie Morton Road. Today, the Azie Taylor Morton Scholarship Fund continues to support students at her alma mater, Huston-Tillotson, ensuring that the next generation of leaders can follow in her footsteps.
