Appointed by President Benjamin Harrison, she became the first African American postmistress in Mississippi.
On January 1, 1891, Minnie Cox was appointed as the postmistress of Holmes County, Mississippi, by President Benjamin Harrison, becoming the first African American to hold such a position in Mississippi. This appointment marked a significant milestone in African American public service during a time of racial segregation and served as a beacon of progressive thinking amidst widespread discrimination. This courageous step opened the door for future generations of African Americans in public service positions.