Portrait of Emma Guy Cromwell by Ogden Studios of Winchester, 1927. KHS Collections.
On February 6, 1896, the Senate elected Emma Guy state librarian, making her the first woman to hold statewide office in the Commonwealth. The next year, she married William Cromwell. In 1924, she was elected secretary of state. During a long career, she also held the offices of state treasurer, state park commissioner, state bond commissioner, and again on several occasions served as state librarian. She was the first woman to act as governor during the chief executive's absence from the state.
Portrait of Emma Guy Cromwell by Ogden Studios of Winchester, 1927. KHS Collections.
