Nancy Hall

Nancy Pearl Johnson Hall (October 5, 1904 – January 1, 1991) was the first female Arkansas State Treasurer, serving as a Democrat from 1963 to 1981. Prior to becoming Treasurer, Hall was appointed Secretary of State of Arkansas by Governor Orval Faubus in 1961, after the death of her husband, Crip Hall.

Nancy Hall
Arkansas State Treasurer
In office January 1963 – January 1981
Governor	Orval Faubus Winthrop Rockefeller Dale Bumpers David Pryor Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Lee Arthur Clayton
Succeeded by	Jimmie Lou Fisher
Secretary of State of Arkansas
In office 1961–1963
Governor	Orval Faubus
Preceded by	Claris G. “Crip” Hall
Succeeded by	Kelly Bryant
Personal details
Born	October 5, 1904 Prescott, Arkansas, U.S.
Died	January 1, 1991 (aged 86)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Crip Hall ​ (m. after 1929)​

Upon her election in 1962, she became the first woman to be elected to a constitutional office in Arkansas.[1]

Early life

Nancy Pearl Johnson was born on October 5, 1904 in Prescott, Arkansas to George Sim Johnson and Minnie Bryan Johnson. From the age of 6 she lived in Little Rock, Arkansas and attended Little Rock Public Schools. Her early career included work as staff for the Arkansas Legislative Council and Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands. Johnson married Claris G. "Crip" Hall on October 5, 1929, and had one daughter. When Crip became Arkansas Secretary of State in 1936 Nancy Hall joined his staff.[1]

Secretary of State

When Crip died in 1961, Governor Orval Faubus appointed Nancy to serve the remained of his term, in a practice sometimes referred to as widow's succession. Upon her appointment, Hall became the first woman to hold constitutional office in Arkansas.[2] As Secretary of State, Hall oversaw maintenance of the Arkansas State Capitol Building, and attracted attention by arguing that a state Easter service on the Capitol grounds should be cancelled rather than desegregated.[1] Arkansas law prohibited appointees to vacant positions from running for the same office in the subsequent election, and Hall instead sought election as State Treasurer.

State Treasurer

Hall was elected State Treasurer in 1962, and became the first woman elected to constitutional office in Arkansas, and the second woman to win a statewide election after Senator Hattie Wyatt Caraway. As Treasurer, Hall oversaw the automation and computerization of state accounting procedures.[1]

Retirement

Hall did not run for reelection in 1980. After serving for 18 years and 9 terms, Hall left office in 1981 and was succeeded by Jimmie Lou Fisher. Hall died on January 1, 1991 at age 86.[1]

References

1. Goodner, Wes (February 24, 2010). "Nancy Johnson Hall (1904–1991)". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
2. Carter, Scott Whiteley (March 5, 2017). "Women's History Month – Nancy Hall, first woman elected to an Arkansas Constitutional Office". Little Rock Culture Vulture. Retrieved April 14, 2018.