Biography
Stella Hackel Sims has spent her life in public service. She was born in Burlington in 1926, and graduated from the University of Vermont in 1945.
Graduating from Boston University School of Law with a J.D. cum laude in 1948, she was admitted to the Vermont Bar Association that same year.
In 1956, Hackel Sims was elected City Grand Juror (Prosecutor) of Rutland, serving until 1963. She was appointed to the position of Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Employment Security in 1963 and served until 1973. She was also President of the Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies from 1971-1972.
She began her career in law in 1973 with the firm of Ryan, Smith, and Carbine. Sims was the first woman to be elected to the office of Vermont State Treasurer in 1975. She was also the first woman to run for Governor of Vermont for either party, losing the general election as the Democratic candidate in 1976.
Not deterred from public life, she became the City Attorney for Rutland. Soon after, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to the position of Director of the Bureau of the Mint, Treasury Department, making her the fourth woman in the U.S. to hold this office. She served as Director of the Mint from 1971-1981. Under her direction, the U.S. Mint introduced the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin in 1979. Known as the "mini-dollar", this coin was minted to reduce printing costs of $1 bills.
Stella Hackel Sims retired in 1988, and now lives in Arlington, VA.Education
University of Vermont (1945)
J.D., Boston University School of Law (1948)Occupation
Lawyer
Commissioner, Vermont Department of Employment Security
President, Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies
Director of the United States Mint