Born in Kimberley, Utah. Married to Harry Howard Hicks from 1924 to 1929. Married Roy Fletcher Priest December 7, 1935. They had four children. (Her husband did in 1959.) In 1961 she married Sidney W. Stevens. (He died March 25, 1972). In early years she worked as a telephone operator, buyer for a department store and a teacher.

Served on the Republican National Committee 1944 to 1952. She ran for Congress in 1950 but was defeated by the Democratic incumbent. She was assistant to the Chairman of the Republican National Convention in 1952.

Appointed Treasurer of the United States by President Eisenhower and served January 28, 1953, to January 29, 1961. Her signature appears on Silver Certificates, series of 1935-E, 1935-F, 1953, 1953-A and 1957; and Federal Reserve Notes, series of 1950-A and 1950-B. She returned to California and was elected treasurer of the state in 1966 and 1970. In 1968 at the Republican Convention she nominated California Governor Ronald Reagan for President. Californians actually believed that an actor could be elected President!

Author of an autobiography Green Grows Ivy. She died in a hospital in Santa Monica, California.

bio: CBY 1952; NCAB 59; WWAW 75; WWWA-6; Notable American Women obit: CB Aug 75; CW 7/9/1975; NN 7/5/75; NYT 6/25/75 (photo)