Thelma Young Gordon

In 1921, Gordon joined the staff of the Secretary of the Commonwealth as a secretary.^[1] On June 1, 1945, she became acting Secretary of the Commonwealth until she was succeeded by Jesse Dillon in September 1945.^[2][3] In July 1947, Gordon was appointed as Secretary of the Commonwealth by Governor William M. Tuck,^[4][1] becoming the first woman appointed to serve in the position.^[5]

In February 1950, Gordon was re-appointed to the office by Governor John S. Battle.^[5] In September 1952, Gordon retired and was succeeded as Secretary of the Commonwealth by Martha Bell Conway.^[1]

Gordon was married. In 1974, she died.^[6]