Ivy Baker Priest

Ivy Baker Priest

In 1953, shortly after taking office as Treasurer of the United States, Ivy Baker Priest, California/Los Angeles - Alpha Chi, was asked by President Dwight D. Eisenhower how she was enjoying her new job. She responded, “I’m enjoying it immensely, Mr. President … but at the moment I’m just so overwhelmed to be here … I never expected to get anywhere near the White House.” Eisenhower’s face broke into a familiar grin. “I know just how you feel,” he said, “neither did I.” Ivy Baker Priest, called one of the 20 most outstanding women of the century by the Women’s Newspaper Editors and Publishers Association, and best known with her signature on billions of United States dollars for the eight years she served as U.S. Treasurer during the Eisenhower administration, was the second woman to hold that position. She had long been politically active and credited with bringing out the women’s vote.