Mofford, Rose, 1922-2016

<p>Rose Perica Mofford (June 10, 1922 – September 15, 2016) was an American civil servant and politician of the Democratic Party whose career in state government spanned 51 years. Beginning her career with the State of Arizona as a secretary, Mofford worked her way up the ranks to become the state's first female secretary of state and first female governor.</p>

<p>Mofford was born Rose Perica in Globe, Arizona, on June 10, 1922, the youngest of six children. Her parents, Frances (Oberstar) and John Perica, had immigrated to the United States from Croatia, then part of Austria-Hungary. The first female class president in the history of Globe High School, she had success in both academics and athletics. She played basketball and was an All-American softball player.</p>

<p>She graduated in 1939 as class valedictorian and, based upon her father's advice, turned down an opportunity to play professional basketball with the All American Red Heads.</p>

ROSE MOFFORD was born in Globe, Arizona, and was involved in state government for 50 years. She worked in the Arizona Treasurer’s Office and the Tax Commission and served as business manager of Arizona Highways magazine before becoming assistant secretary of state in 1953, a position she held for 22 years. In 1975 she became assistant director in the department of revenue and succeeded Wesley Bolin as secretary of state in 1977. She won election to her first full term in 1978 and was reelected in 1982 and 1986. In 1988 Mofford was sworn in as governor to complete the term of impeached Governor Evan Mecham. Mofford became the first woman governor in Arizona history. As governor, she formed the Governor’s Alliance Against Drugs, established the Governor’s Youth Commission Against Drugs, and oversaw the creation of Arizona’s first statewide Drug Prevention Resource Center. She was president of the National Association of Secretaries of State and was the first woman elected director of the Central Arizona Water Board.