Lurleen Wallace became the first female governor of Alabama in 1967. Laws at the time prevented her husband Governor George Wallace from seeking a second term, so Mrs. Wallace ran for Governor in his stead. Mrs. Wallace was a strong advocate for mental health reform and improving our state parks and was one of the most loved governors in Alabama history. Sadly, her governorship was cut short when she lost her battle with cancer in 1968, only 16 months after taking office.
Photos courtesy of: Alabama Department of Archives and History