Clayton, Sue

Sue Beck Clayton (b. 1947), daughter of Bruno A. and Ruth (McKenzie) Beck, grew up in Burlington, Vermont, where she was educated in the Cathedral Schools and graduated from Rice Memorial High School. She attended the University of Chicago, graduating in 1969. She was involved in women's issues in the 1980s and served as a volunteer and coordinator for the Vermont Coalition for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) campaign. After the defeat of the state ERA in 1986, she briefly became president of the organization until activities ceased. She also belonged to several other Vermont women's political organizations, including the Vermont Women's Political Caucus, the Vermont Catholics for Free Choice, and the Council of Vermont Women's Organizations.

Sue Beck Clayton married K. Putnam Clayton in 1975 and settled in East Montpelier, Vermont, where the couple raised their two children. She taught art at Montpelier High School from 1969 to 1978. She was president and founder of the educational non-profit, Washington Central Friends of Education, in 1992, and later also served on their board. She has also been a regular contributor to local newspapers, primarily The World, where she worked from 1986 to 1992.