Juanita M. Kreps

Juanita Morris Kreps (born January 11, 1921) was U.S. Secretary of Commerce from January 23, 1977 until October 31, 1979 under President Jimmy Carter and was the first and so far only woman to hold that position.

Born in Lynch, Kentucky, she graduated from Berea College in 1942 and earned her Master's and Ph.D. in economics at Duke University in 1944 and 1948, respectively. She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. A specialist in labor demographics, Dr. Kreps taught at Denison University, Hofstra College, Queens College, and Duke. She rose through the ranks there to become the university's first female vice president. She was the first woman board member of the New York Stock Exchange.

In May, 1944, Juanita Morris married Clifton H. Kreps, Jr. and they had three children. [ [http://www.nndb.com/people/374/000061191/ Juanita M. Kreps ] ] Clifton Kreps was a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for many years. He died August 23, 2000.

Dr. Kreps was awarded the 1976 North Carolina Award for public service and 20 honorary degrees. [ [http://www.ncspin.com/ncnotables.php NC SPIN Online ] ] She sat of the board of 10 major corporations. [ [http://www.nndb.com/people/374/000061191/ Juanita M. Kreps ] ]

ee also

*List of first women to hold U.S. Cabinet Secretaryships

References

External Links

[http://docsouth.unc.edu/sohp/C-0011/ Oral History Interview with Juanita Kreps] at [http://docsouth.unc.edu/sohp Oral Histories of the American South]