Frances Jones Mills

Frances Jones Mills (July 4, 1920 – May 24, 1996) was an American politician who served in various state elective offices in Kentucky for a large portion of the 1970s and 1980s. The first woman and first Democrat in the 20th century to win election to the Kentucky General Assembly from her native Knox County, she later became the first woman to serve three (non-successive) terms as Kentucky State Treasurer. In an era when Kentucky's Constitution forbad elected statewide officeholders from serving consecutive terms, Mills also served as Secretary of State of Kentucky and Clerk of the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

Early life and education Born in Gray, a small town in far southeast Knox County, Kentucky, Frances was the daughter of Dr. William H. Jones and Bertie (Steely) Jones. She graduated from Cumberland College in Williamsburg in nearby Whitley County as well as attended Eastern Kentucky State Teacher's College in Madison County. She taught school in Gray for eight years before marrying and ultimately beginning her political career.