Bush-Cheney '04 National "W Stands for Women" Leadership Team
Jane Abraham is the
owner and president of a strategy consulting firm. She has held several
positions in the Republican National Committee, including Director of Political
Education, Director of Intra-Party Development, and Deputy Political Director.
In 1992, Abraham served as Convention Manager for Vice President Dan Quayle.
Abraham is also involved in a number of charitable organizations in both
Michigan and Washington, D.C.
Julie Acton is currently
a bookkeeper, salesperson and secretary for various companies. Acton is
the Treasurer of the Salem County Republican Organization and a member
of the Nominating Committee and County Committee and a member of the Pennsville
Republican Club. Acton is also a member of the State of New Jersey, Governor's
Advisory Council on Volunteerism and Community Service and a New Jersey
State Chair for the Bush-Cheney '04 Women's coalition.
Mary Cunningham Agee
is the founder and president of an international, charitable organization
that provides urgent and comprehensive care for women faced with the crisis
of and unplanned pregnancy. Agee's two decade commitment to empowering
mothers with life-supporting assistance is enhanced by her additional role
on the board of the National Council for Adoption. Twice voted by World
Almanac as one of the "25 Most Influential Women in America," Agee and
her husband reside in St. Helena, California and have two children.
Judith Albertelli
is a Republican activist in Florida and was formerly the Vice-Chairman
of the Republican Party of Duval County. Albertelli is also one of the
founding members of the Tillie Fowler Excellence in Public Service Series,
a political leadership development program for Florida's Republican women.
She and her husband George have 3 sons and 3 grandchildren.
Teresa Amend is Owner
and Vice Chairman of the Board of a fast-growing professional services
firm offering services in consulting, technology, real estate, finance,
development, architecture, engineering, construction, and interior design.
Amend is hard at work on her first book. She and her husband, John, reside
in Dallas, Texas, and have three children
Chris Andrews is currently
helping the President by serving as a volunteer with W Stands for Women.
Andrews has helped coordinate Republican campaigns in the past and spends
most of her free time fundraising for Republican candidates and calling
in to talk shows to support the President's agenda. She and her husband
live in Alexandria, Virginia and have two teenagers.
Mary Jo Arndt currently
serves as a member of the Republican National Committee for Illinois. She
serves as a member of the National Board of Directors of Leadership America,
a national non-profit leadership organization. She serves as an advisor
to the Illinois Republican Nationalities Council.
Denise Austin is a
fitness guru and has established a fitness empire, which includes books,
magazines, shows, magazines columns, videos and DVD's, as well as her own
line of workout equipment, a signature shoe, and body wear. Austin was
appointed to serve on a federal commission on physical fitness. She and
her husband, Jeff Austin have two daughters.
Sally Austin has a
dual degree in nursing and the law and has served as a legal resources
to the healthcare industry. Austin has served as in-house counsel and as
corporate compliance office as well as a consultant to various healthcare
organizations. Currently, Austin serves as Associate General Counsel in
a healthcare system and has also assisted in the development of educational
curriculums for the paralegal profession.
Evie Axdahl is the
Republican National Committeewoman for the State of Minnesota. Prior to
this Axdahl was the Secretary for the Republican Party of Minnesota and
the Chairman of Minnesota's Fourth District. She has been a delegate to
each Republican National Convention between the years 1980 and 1996.
Catherine Todd Bailey
is the current Republican National Committeewoman from Kentucky. Bailey
founded Operation Open Arms which is a charity dedicated to caring for
babies of incarcerated women and currently serves as the organization's
President. She and her husband, Irving Bailey II, have four children.
Susan Bari is the
president of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC),
the leading advocate for the advancement of women owned businesses. Bari
is a member of the Women's Leadership Board of the John F. Kennedy School
of Government, Harvard University, and serves on advisory councils a women-owned
industries firm; the Diversity Council of a financial services firm; the
Women's Advisory Council of a major bank and the Board of Directors of
the Women Presidents' Organization. She is also publishing a book in June
2004.
Carmen Bermudez is
the founder, Chairman and CEO of the nation's first and only minority-woman
owned independent trust company, which has been recognized with several
awards. Bermudez serves on the Board of Advisors of the U.S. Women's Chamber
of Commerce, is a member of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council and
the New America Alliance based in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Congresswoman Judy
Biggert has brought her varied career as a lawyer, community leader
and small business owner together to help her represent the 13th District
of Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives. First elected to the
107th Congress, Congresswoman Biggert currently serves on four full committees
and seven subcommittees in the House of Representatives where she focuses
on education, health and employment issues. She and her husband, Rody,
are the parents of four children, and the grandparents of five grandchildren.
Judy Black is the
senior legislative consultant for Washington, DC firm. Black is involved
in the American Council of Young Political Leaders, the International Foundation
for Electoral Systems, and the Fund for American Studies.
U.S. Congresswoman Marsha
Blackburn represents the 7th Congressional District of Tennessee. She
was elected to the 108th Congress espousing a message of low taxes, responsible
government, and a strong national defense. Congresswoman Blackburn serves
on three committees and one subcommittee, interested in education, employment,
and government reform and oversight. Congresswoman Blackburn is married
to Chuck Blackburn and they have two children.
Myrna Blythe is the
founding editor-in-chief and publishing director of a top woman's magazine,
as well as an author and has written many articles and books. Blythe is
currently an appointee on women's health issues. She and her husband live
in New York City and have two sons.
Lynette Boggs McDonald,
sworn into office by Governor Guinn as Clark County Commissioner in 2004
comes to Clark County from the city of Las Vegas, where she was the first
woman to lead a City Council ward in the history of that city. A former
Miss Oregon who competed in the 1989 Miss America Pageant, Commissioner
McDonald has been named: One of Las Vegas' "Top 40 Under 40" by the Las
Vegas Business Press and was chosen by the American Council for Young Political
Leaders as a delegate to India. She is married to Steven D. McDonald, J.D.
and they have an eight-year-old son named Adam.
U.S. Congresswoman Mary
Bono was elected to represent the 45th District from the state of California
in 1998, in a special election to fill the seat left vacant by her late
husband, Sonny Bono. Currently serving her third term in office, she serves
on the prestigious Energy and Commerce Committee, and also serves as chair
of the Congressional Slaton Sea Task Force and as vice-chair of the Entertainment
Task Force and the Travel and Tourism Task Force.
Molly Bordanaro is
a principal for a business consulting and public affairs firm and currently
serves as chair of the Northwest States for the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign.
Bordanaro was recognized in 2001 as one of nine "People of the Year" for
her community services and leadership in Portland. She and her husband
Matt have a son and a daughter.
Mary Ellen Bork is
a free-lance writer and lecturer on issues affecting Catholic life and
culture. Bork serves on the Board of Directors of the John Carroll Society,
the Institute for Religion and Democracy, and Women Affirming Life. She
and her husband, Judge Robert H. Bork, live in McLean, Virginia.
Victoria Braden is
president and CEO of an insurance agency that specializes in providing
employee benefit solutions to larger businesses. Clients include high tech
firms, manufacturing, CPA firms, churches and non-profit organizations,
and the construction industry. Among her honors, Braden was selected to
the Top Ten Business Women in the United States by the American Business
Women's Association, the Who's Who in American Business, and she is a recipient
of the 2003 National Leadership Award.
Nancy Becker is the
first women in New Jersey to launch her own public affairs firm where she
directs all lobbying, public relations and marketing programs. Becker is
the founding chair of the Christine Todd Whitman Excellence in Public Service
Series, a political leadership-training program for Republican New Jersey
women. She has been awarded with an Executive Women of New Jersey with
the Policy Makers Award, a tribute to women who are directors of New Jersey
corporations or foundations.
Janice Brewer was
elected Arizona Secretary of State on November 5, 2002. She serves as acting
Governor when the Governor is out of state. Upon taking office, Secretary
Brewer made it a priority to identify immediate ways to save taxpayer dollars
and address the ongoing state budget deficit. She also took the lead on
federal election reform by compiling the Preliminary Help America Vote
Act State Plan, making Arizona second in the nation to accomplish this
mandate.
Nancy Brinker is the
founder of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, today recognized
as the nation's leading catalyst in the fight against breast cancer. Brinker
was appointed by President Bush in 2001 to serve as U.S. Ambassador to
the Republic of Hungary, a position which she held until July 2003. Brinker
has been named one of the 100 Most Important Women of the 20th Century
(Ladies Home Journal) and one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in America
(Biography Magazine).
Janet Mitchell Bowne
is a very active volunteer and is the co-chair of Sustaining Members for
the Junior League of Portland, Maine. Bowne has worked on numerous political
campaigns in Maine including the following recent campaigns: Collins for(US)
Senate, '02 (volunteer), Snowe for (US) Senate, '00 (coalitions director;
paid consultant), and Vamvakias for State Senate; '01 and '02. She and
her husband reside in Falmouth, Maine with their two children.
U.S. Congresswoman Ginny
Brown-Waite was elected to represent the state of Florida in 2002.
She is an active member of the Budget, Financial Services, and Veteran's
Affairs Committees where she serves on the Benefits and Health Subcommittees
keeping a watchful eye over legislation affecting the health and services
we offer our nation's heroes. She also serves as Vice-Chair of the Congressional
Women's Caucus.
Columba Bush is married
to Governor Jeb Bush of the state of Florida. Mrs. Bush is a spokesperson
and member of Informed Families of Florida, a non-profit organization involved
in educating families on the perils of drug abuse, as well as, a member
of the Governors' Spouses Leadership Forum, an organization that is dedicated
to the reduction of youth alcohol abuse. In 2000, Mrs. Bush started the
Arts Recognition Program, which honors high school seniors who have demonstrated
exemplary talents in the arts, and is also the co-founder of the Children's
Cultural Education Fund of the Ballet Folklorico, which raises money for
the national dance troupe of Mexico. She and her husband, Jeb, have three
children.
Lindsay Bush is the
chair of the Missouri Women for Bush Coalition. Bush worked for California
Senator Pete Wilson and also worked as a strategic consultant and a leadership
training firm. She and her husband, Scott Bush, have two children.
Margaret Bush is married
to Marvin Bush, who is the brother of President George W. Bush. She is
a local actress who has appeared in many theatrical productions, as well
as film and television. She is very involved in community service. Margaret
and Marvin reside in Alexandria, Virginia and have two children, Marshall
and Walker.
Anna R. Cablik is
the founder of a contracting company that specialized in highway bridges
and one of the largest Hispanic owned firms in Georgia. Cablik is the past
chair of the Atlanta Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, has served on the board
of the Latin American Association, Saint Joseph's Mercy Care, Woman Looking
Ahead, and the Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority. Currently she
is on the Board of United Way, is co-chair of the Membership Committee
at Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Fundraising Committee of
the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
U.S. Congresswoman Shelley
Moore Capito is currently serving her second term as the Representative
of the Second Congressional District of West Virginia. Capito is the only
woman and Republican representing West Virginia and serves on three committees
of the House dealing with finance, transportation and infrastructure, and
small business issues. She is married to Charles L. Capito, Jr. and they
have three children.
Suzanne Carcieri is
married to Governor Don Carcieri of the state of Rhode Island. Carcieri
currently serves on the boards of Dorcas Place literacy center, the Rhode
Island Academic Decathlon, the Institute for the Study and Practice of
Non-Violence, and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Carcieri and her
husband are co-founders of the Academy Children's Science Center in East
Greenwich and have four children and 13 grandchildren.
Annette Carr is currently
the executive assistant and scheduler for Congressman Phil English from
Erie, Pennsylvania in his Washington, DC office. Carr is politically active
in the Republican party. She and her husband, Bobby, reside in Annapolis,
Maryland where they are proud sponsors of Naval Academy Midshipmen.
Kathy Carrier is the
president and owner of a company providing strategic direction for clients
in curriculum design and creation of customized educational programs and
creation of web and computer-based training programs. A member of several
Boards and Professional Associations, Carrier also serves in her community
as President of the Board of Erin's House for Grieving Children, past President
of YWCA and is in her thirteenth year as Girl Scout leader. Her experiences
with e-learning have been published and last year received the Ernst &
Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Betty Jane Carroll
is the Bush-Cheney '04 Maryland State Chairman for the Women's coalition
and is on the advisory board of the Federal Forum. Carroll currently serves
as a leader in a Republican women's political group. She also ran her husband
Peter's victorious campaign for Talbot County Council.
Elizabeth L. Cheney
is currently a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute focusing
on political and economic development and women's empowerment in the Middle
East. From 2002-2003, Cheney served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near
Eastern Affairs at the Department of State and prior to joining the State
Department, Cheney was an attorney practicing law in the area of international
project finance. She and her husband reside in McLean, Virginia and are
the parents of three daughters and are expecting a fourth child this summer.
Maria Cino was appointed
deputy chairman of the Republican National Committee in June 2003. Cino
served as deputy chairman for Political and Congressional Relations during
the 2000 election cycle and as the national political director for Bush
for President in Austin, Texas. Cino was a public policy and government
affairs consultant for a Washington, DC law firm prior to joining the campaign.
Cindy Sue Clark worked
extensively on Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle's campaign. Clark is vice-chair/candidate
recruitment of the Maui County Republican Party, and serves on its Executive
Board. A founder and fundraising chairman for Autism Bridges Maui, Clark
had immense input for the six-year strategic plan of this non-profit organization,
and she served on the sub committee of Governor Lingle's CARE Reform Board
(Citizens Achieving Reform in Education). Clark and her husband reside
in Maui.
U.S. Senator Susan M.
Collins was elected to represent the state of Maine in the United States
Senate in 1996 and was re-elected to her second term in 2002. Senator Collins
serves as chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, and also serves
on three other committees where she is involved with issues on education
reform, health care, homeland security and national defense.
Susan Combs was elected
in 1998 as Texas Agriculture Commissioner. Combs served two terms in the
Texas House of Representatives prior to her election. Combs has received
numerous awards for her nutritional advocacy, including the Texas School
Health Association's John P. McGovern award and the Texas Division of the
American Cancer Society's True Grit Award. Combs and her husband Joe have
three sons.
Susanna Connaughton
is the commissioner on the Mayor's D.C. Commission on National and Community
Service. Connaughton was an account executive for a Chicago advertising
agency until 1991. Since then, she has been a full-time mom to two children
and is an active volunteer in their schools.
Collen Conway-Welch
is dean of the nursing school for a university in Tennessee where she became
the school's sixth permanent dean in 1984. Conway-Welch was invited by
House Speaker Gingrich to the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future
of Medicare. Conway-Welch is founder and director of the International
Nursing Coalition for Mass Casualty Education an international coalition
and has received the New York University School of Nursing Distinguished
Alumni Award in 1999 and the Association of Childbearing Centers Public
Advocate Award in 2001.
Cristi Cristich founded
a company which manufactures cutting-edge electronic connectors used in
smart weapons, space applications and biomedical devices. Cristich is the
past president National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) California
and was awarded their Pioneer Award in 1999. In 1992, Cristich was named
by the U.S. Small Business Administration "Small Business Person of the
Year."
Barbara Cubin, a Republican
currently serving her fifth term, was first elected in 1994 to represent
Wyoming in the United States House of Representatives and was selected
by her peers as Republican Conference Secretary, the sixth-ranking Republican
leadership position in the House, for the 107th Congress. She served on
the Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee in the Wyoming
House and in 1994 was named Wyoming's Legislator of the Year by the Edison
Electric Institute. She and her husband, Dr. Frederick Cubin, reside in
Casper, Wyoming and they have two sons.
Jo Ann Davidson is
the president of a consulting firm performing work in a broad range of
services involving public policy development and analysis, strategic planning
and political campaigns. Prior to founding her firm, Jo Ann was a member
of the State Legislature of Ohio for 20 years, serving as Speaker of the
House of Representatives from January 1995 through December 2000. Davidson
is the Bush-Cheney '04 Ohio Valley Regional Chair.
U.S. Congresswoman Jo
Ann Davis is the first elected female Republican to the United States
House of Representatives from Virginia. First elected to Congress in November
of 2000, she serves on the House Armed Services, International Relations,
and Government Reform Committees; Chairs the Subcommittee on Civil Service;
and is vice-chair of the House International Relations Committee's Subcommittee
on Europe.
Susan DeLeo has been
active in Minnesota politics for over ten years. She has worked on several
campaigns from the local level to fundraising facets on National campaigns.
She most recently worked as Deputy Campaign Manager on the successful campaign
for Congressman John Kline of the Second Congressional District.
Betsy DeVos is the
chairman of the Michigan Republican State Committee, and was the state's
Republican National Committeewoman from 1992-1997. DeVos was a delegate
to the 2000 Republican National Convention from Michigan's Third District
and then founded the Great Lakes Education Project in 2001 and served as
Chairman prior to her election to her current position. She and her husband,
Dick, have four children.
Gwynneth Dieter is
a member of a federal council on substance abuse and mental health services,
as well as the advisory board for Compass House in Boulder, Colorado. During
the 2000 presidential campaign, Dieter served as the campaign coordinator
for the Republican headquarters in Jackson County, MO, and was a volunteer
for the Bush-Cheney campaign in the Colorado and Michigan primaries. In
2002, Dieter worked on the 96-Hour Task Force for the Allard-Owens Campaign.
Anne Dickerson is
a political consultant. Dickerson served as chief of staff to U.S. Ambassador
Mercer Reynolds in Bern, Switzerland where she received the Meritorious
Honor Award from the State Department for distinguished leadership in the
U.S.-Swiss Joint Economic Commission during the 2002 meetings of the WEF
on bio-terrorism and then the Foreign Service National Award for her "skill,
kindness, and effective management of staff" in 2003. Dickerson and her
husband, Larry, reside in Plymouth, Michigan with their children, Brandon
and Jacob.
Lurita Doan is the
founder, president and CEO of a privately held systems integration company
that provides turnkey solutions including design, installation and maintenance
of secure surveillance technology. Descended from three generations of
African-American entrepreneurs, Doan struck out on her own 13 years ago
to found a small IT company. She has received significant recognition for
her leadership and business acumen and resides in Great Falls, Virginia.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth
Dole was elected in the state of North Carolina in 2002 and was inducted
in to the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1995. Dole has been named by
the Gallup Poll as one of the world's most admired women, has received
numerous awards for her public service and leadership, including the Women
Executives in State Government Lifetime Achievement Award, the League of
Women Voters Leadership Award and the Raoul Wallenberg Award for Humanitarian
Service. Dole served as President of the American Red Cross from 1991 through
1999, is a former Secretary of Transportation and presidential hopeful,
and the wife of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole.
Lt. Governor Mary Donohue
was elected in the state of New York in 1998 and re-elected in 2002. Prior
to her service as the first female State Supreme Court Justice from Rensselaer
County, Donahue was elected as Rensselaer County's first female District
Attorney in 1992. Donahue has been appointed by Governor Pataki's as chairs
for the Task Force on School Violence, the Task Force on Quality Communities
and the Task Force on Small Business.
Patricia Dorwart is
national committeewoman to the Republican National Committee from the state
of Nebraska. She has held many positions in Republican politics. In 2000,
Dorwart served as the chair of the Subcommittee on Family and Youth at
the Republican National Convention, and was a member of the Site Selection
Committee and the Committee on Arrangements.
Connie K. Duckworth
is a founding partner of a New York City financial business and the author
of a business advice book for women. Duckworth is a member of the federal
council on Afghan women's issues. Founder of a not-for-profit corporation
which helps Afghan women improve their lives (and their families lives,
too) through business, Duckworth also serves on the Council on Foreign
Relations Women's Task Force, and on the Advisory Board of the Business
Council for Peace. In 2004, Duckworth was named one of the 2004 Women Leaders
for the 21st Century by Women's eNews.
June Duda is actively
involved in numerous political and civic activities, and is a dedicated
wife, mother, and grandmother. She is co-chair of the Florida Agriculture
for Bush-Cheney '04. Duda also served on the Finance Committee for the
election of Governor Jeb Bush in 1998 and 2002.
U.S. Congresswoman Jennifer
Dunn was elected to represent the 8th Congressional District of the
state of Washington in 1992. She serves on the Ways and Means Committee,
where she is considered an expert on tax relief, and on the Subcommittee
on Trade and Health, where she is recognized for her leadership on tax,
trade, and technology issues. In addition, she is the only woman to serve
on the Joint Economic Committee. A native of Bellevue, Washington, she
is the mother of two sons.
Gwen Ecklund, of Denison,
Iowa. Active in grassroots politics for twenty years, Ecklund has served
in numerous rolls, including having served as president of the Iowa Federation
of Republican Women, Western Iowa Director for the Legislative Majority
Fund and Organization Director for Tom Latham for Congress. She is currently
the executive director for a performing arts non-profit foundation.
U.S. Congresswoman Jo
Ann Emerson is the first republican woman to represent Missouri in
Congress, where she is a leading advocate for farm families and the promotion
of America's agriculture, hunger relief, pro-life issues, and access to
safe, affordable prescription drugs. As a member of the Appropriations
Committee, Emerson sits on the Agricultural, Homeland Security, and Energy
and Water Development Subcommittees.
Kendel Erlich is married
to Governor Robert Erlich of the State of Maryland. Erlich has worked as
a felony trial lawyer and a prosecutor in district and juvenile courts.
She sits on several boards and is an avid fundraiser for various causes
in Maryland. She and her husband reside in Annapolis and have two children.
Rae Evans is the president
and CEO of a D.C. firm specializing in Washington public policy and corporate
strategies. Evans is a past president of the Business Government Relations
Council, a business group of senior government affairs representatives
of Fortune 500 companies. Evans is a member of the board of directors of
the Ladies Professional Golf Association.
Sara Evans is a country
singer with triple platinum CD and has sung at 2 campaign rallies for President
Bush. Evans was the most nominated artist at the 2001 Country Music Association
Awards, and took home her first such trophy when "Born to Fly" won Video
of the Year. She and her husband, Craig Schelske, have a son and a daughter
and split time between Oregon and Nashville, Tennessee.
Elizabeth Marie Fago
is chairman and founder of a healthcare company that includes 73 skilled
nursing and assisted living facilities in Tennessee, Maryland, Kentucky,
Florida, West Virginia, and North and South Carolina. Fago is a Commissioner
to the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, FL, as well as a member
of the Tennessee and Maryland Healthcare Associations. In 2002 Fago attended
the Helsinki Business Leaders' Summit at the request of President Bush.
Fago is a Women of Tomorrow High School Mentor in Palm Beach, FL.
Lt. Governor Mary Fallin
has been making history in Oklahoma since 1994 when she was elected the
state's first women and first republican Lieutenant Governor. Lieutenant
Governor Fallin serves on 10 boards and commissions that impact the quality
of life and business in Oklahoma, working tirelessly to promote economic
growth and opportunities for Oklahomans. She also has taken a special interest
in advancing the issues of women business owners.
Julie Finley is chairman
of the board of directors of the Project on Transitional Democracies and
also a founding member of the U.S. Committee on NATO. Finley was the District
of Columbia Republican Party Chairman from 1992 to 2000. Finley is presently
the Republican National Committeewoman for the District of Columbia. Finley
has worked for NBC, ABC News and the Washington Post.
Alice Fisher is a
partner in the litigation department of a Washington, D.C. law firm. Fisher
joined the firm in 1996 after her service as Deputy Special Council to
the U.S. Senate Special Committee to Investigate Whitewater Development
and Related Matters. Fisher served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General
of the Criminal Division in the U.S. Department of Justice from 2001-2003.
Glenna Fletcher is
married to Governor Ernie Fletcher of the state of Kentucky. Fletcher is
a registered nurse, which was a catalyst to her passion for healthcare
for children. Fletcher will also serve as an advocate for "Read to Achieve,"
a program that will ensure all elementary school students are reading proficiently
by the third grade. She and her husband have two children and four grandchildren.
Mindy Tucker Fletcher
is senior vice president of public affairs for a public relations firm.
Fletcher was the press secretary for the Bush-Cheney 2000 effort and then
became the senior spokesperson for the Florida recount effort. Fletcher
is still an advisor to the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign and appears regularly
on national television shows as a Republican commentator while also serving
on the Board of the Marian Bergeson Series for Excellence in Public Service,
a leadership training program for women in public service, and is active
in the California Women's Leadership Association.
Kathleen Fortunato
is the executive director of the Ohio County Medical Society, president
of the YWCA of Wheeling Board of Directors, chairman of the City of Wheeling
Riverfront Commission and a member of the board of directors of the Wheeling
Area Chamber of Commerce. She is past president of the West Virginia State
Medical Association Alliance, and was named Alliance Member of the Year
in 2003. She and her husband, Dr. Michael Fortunato, reside in Wheeling
and are the parents of four children.
U.S. Congresswoman Tillie
Fowler joined as a partner a Washington, D.C. law firm after a distinguished
8-year tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives. Fowler was also chairman
of Secretary Rumsfeld's Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee and on
the Chief of Navel Operations' Executive Panel. She received the highest
civilian awards given by the Navy and Department of Defense, the Navy's
Distinguished Public Service Award and the Department of Defense Medal
for Distinguished Public Service.
Barbara Hackman Franklin
served as the 29th U.S. Secretary of Commerce and was the highest-ranking
woman in the Administration of President George H.W. Bush. Franklin is
also vice-chair of both the US-China Business Council and the Atlantic
Council, and a member of numerous other international organizations, including
the Council of Foreign Relations, the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars
Advisory Council and the Japan Society. Fletcher was a staff assistant
to President Nixon, where she created the first White House effort to recruit
women for high-level government jobs.
Cindy Furlong is a
former public delegate to the United Nations. An active participant in
South Carolina Republican politics, Furlong is a member of several state
Republican organizations and has twice been selected to serve in the Electoral
College from South Carolina. Currently, she is the chairman of the South
Carolina Winning Women Excellence in Public Service Series, and is a participant
of numerous community and church activities.
Lisa Gable is chairman
of the board, Pacific Research Institute and was co-founder and principal
of a brand management firm. Gable has served in several government entities,
including the White House, Department of Defense, Department of Education;
Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services has served on many
Advisory Boards. A published writer in areas of security research and the
global economy, Gable and her husband, Jim, reside in Virginia.
Gay Hart Gaines is
president, board member, and trustee of the Palm Beach Republicans Club.
Previously, she served as chair of both GOPAC and the National Review Institute.
She was a freelance writer of medical articles for Vogue Magazine, and
is a board member of numerous organizations, including the the Heritage
Foundation, the American Enterprise Institute, and the Madison Council
of the Library of Congress.
U.S. Congresswoman Kay
Granger was elected in 1996 to represent the 12th District of the state
of Texas in the U.S. Congress where she was the first Republican woman
to represent Texas. Currently, she is a Deputy Majority Whip and serves
on the House Appropriations Committee and three of its subcommittees, as
well as the new Select Committee on Homeland Security. A life-long resident
of Forth Worth, she is the mother of three grown children and grandmother
of two grandsons.
Linda Graves is the
director of a Kansas based mutual fund company and a Capital Campaign Chair,
from November 1998 to May 2000, of a $2.2 million private fund raising
effort restoring the Kansas Governor's residence. As First Lady of Kansas,
Graves was the Co-Chair of the Governor's Task Force on Childhood Hunger,
a Honorary Chair of the Kansas Breast and Cervical Cancer Initiative, a
Chairman of Operation Immunize. She and her husband, Bill, have one daughter.
Dema Guinn is married
to Governor Kenny Guinn of the state of Nevada and was named one of the
Las Vegas Review-Journal's Women of the Year. She sponsors an annual First
Lady's Conference on Women's health Issues and is also greatly involved
in Habitat for Humanity and Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free.She
and her husband reside in Las Vegas, have two sons and six grandchildren.
Erika Harold, a resident
of Urbana, Illinois, was Miss America 2003. Harold's platform is to prevent
youth violence and she is a national spokesperson for Fight Crime: Invest
in Kids. She is also one of the youngest declared delegates to the Republican
National Convention from the state of Illinois.
U.S. Congresswoman Katherine
Harris was sworn in on January 7, 2003 as the United States Representative
for the 13th District in Florida. Elected upon a platform of restoring
economic security, bolstering retirement security, and strengthening national
security, Harris is working on these issues through her key appointments
to the Financial Services Committee and the House International Committee.
U.S. Congresswoman Melissa
Hart was first elected to Congress in 2000 to represent the previously
Democratic Fourth District of Pennsylvania. She is the first Republican
to represent the district in more than two decades, and the first Republican
woman ever to represent Pennsylvania in either house of Congress. She served
on the Speaker's Prescription Drug Task Force, and currently serves on
the Financial Services, Judiciary, and Science Committees.
Susan "Dee" Haslam
is the CEO and Executive Producer of a media company. As a member of several
civic and professional associations, Haslam has been honored for her work
with a 2002 Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Special Class Series," five
Telly Awards for Documentary and Series Production in 2001, the 1998 YWCA
Tribute to Women Community Service Award for service in her home state
of Tennessee. Haslam and her husband, Jimmy, reside in Knoxville, TN with
their three children.
Laura Herring is a
psychologist and has spent nearly two decades developing programs that
pro-actively address corporate America's transition related issues. Herring
is president and founder of a career/life transition assistance firm providing
comprehensive services which is used by 100 companies from the Fortune
500. She is a founding member of the St. Louis Economic Development Council,
and the St. Louis Regional Talent Project.
Neva Hill is currently
publisher of a weekly political newsletter in its 24th year of publication
and runs her own general political consulting company. She is also a member
of the Society of Professional Journalists, a member of Daughters of the
American Revolution and is the Precinct Chairman in Cleveland County for
the Oklahoma Republican Party. She and her husband, Harry, reside in Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma.
Claire Holloway is
the founder and president of an Atlanta-based consulting firm specializing
in campaign finance strategy and fundraising event management for organizations,
individual candidates and non-profit groups. Holloway's expertise is in
leading organizations and individuals to conceptualize, plan and direct
successful fundraising campaigns and events.
Janet Huckabee is
married to Governor Mike Huckabee of the state of Arkansas. Huckabee currently
serves as a member of the Habitat for Humanity International Board and
the Women's Build steering committee. Huckabee also serves on the Central
Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross, where she is a lifetime member.
She and her husband have three children.
Randa Fahmy Hudome
is the president of a strategic consulting firm. Formerly as associate
deputy secretary at the Department of Energy, Hudome analyzed energy policy
and its impact on foreign policy, national security, and trade promotion
and investment; she helped develop an integrated energy strategy for Canada,
Mexico and the U.S. As foreign policy counselor to former U.S. Senator
Spencer Abraham, she is credited with shaping many pieces of legislation
affecting U.S. interests abroad. Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich recently
appointed Hudome to the Maryland Commission for Women, serving a four year
term as the chairperson.
Karen Hughes has worked
for George W. Bush since 1994, when he was elected governor of Texas. Hughes
has been President Bush's director of communications, chief spokeswoman
and is a former Executive Director of the Republican Party of Texas and
a former television news reporter for KXAS-TV, the NBC affiliate in Dallas/Fort
Worth. Hughes continues to advise Bush from Austin, where she resides with
her husband and son.
Marilyn Huston is
a past president of the Keene Republican Committee, president of the Cheshire
Republican Women's Club was awarded the Norris Cotton award for outstanding
Republican from Cheshire County. Huston is a member of the Ashuelot Chapter
of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a volunteer with the St.
Vincent de Paul Society food pantry. She has resided in New Hampshire for
14 years.
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey
Hutchison was elected in 1993 as the first woman to represent Texas
in the U.S. Senate. Re-elected to her second full term with the largest
number of votes ever garnered in the state in 2000, she was elected vice-chairman
of the Senate Republican Conference. She serves as chairman of the Military
Construction Subcommittee, chairman of the Surface Transportation and Merchant
Marine Subcommittee, a member of the Defense Subcommittee of the Senate
Appropriations Committee, and as a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Lysa Israel is one
of the most sought after professionals in her field as a creative and dedicated
consultant. During her career, Israel has designed and managed events ranging
from seated gala dinners for 4,000 to intimate gatherings for Fortune 500
executives to multi-day conferences geared toward providing full day programming
for international participants and organized activities for their families.
Israel and her husband live in New Jersey with their two children.
Kay Ivey was elected
the 38th treasurer of the state of Alabama in 2002. Ivey served as Assistant
Director of the Alabama Development Office, Reading Clerk of the Alabama
House of Representatives, and the Director of Government Relations and
Communications for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. Ivey is
a member of the Montgomery Rotary Club, the Business Council of Alabama,
the Economic Developers Association, the Alabama Forestry Association,
and she serves on the national speaker's staff of the Daughters of the
American Revolution.
Lolita Jackson is
president of the Metropolitan Republican Club, the oldest and largest Republican
club in Manhattan. She is an Alternate Delegate to the 2004 Republican
National Convention, a member of the New York Republican State Committee
and District Leader of the 73rd NY Assembly District. In business, Jackson
also spent 12 years marketing mutual funds.
Marcia Jackson is
an independent consultant with a trade, investment and finance firm, in
the sectors of agribusiness and infrastructure. She is married to the Honorable
Alphonso Jackson.
Lynn Jenkins, a certified
CPA, was elected treasurer to the state of Kansas in November of 2002.
She entered this post after serving two years in the Kansas House of Representatives,
and is currently responsible for the functions of several key departments
including Bond Services, Cash Management, Unclaimed Property, Agricultural
Production Loan Deposit Program, and The Learning Quest College Savings
Program which has assets of nearly $325 million.
Toni Jennings is the
first woman to hold the office of Lieutenant Governor of Florida. She is
co-chair of the Governor's Task Force on Access to Affordable Health Insurance,
and she Chaired the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Education Advisory Council.
The Lt. Governor also takes time to mentor elementary school children every
Wednesday morning.
Mary Jean Jenson has
served as the South Dakota Republican National Committeewoman since 1996.
Jenson is a past president of the South Dakota Federation of Republican
Women, a member of the SD Republican Executive Board, and a Perkins County
Precinct Chairman. A past-president of the Lemmon (SD) Chamber of Commerce,
Jenson serves on the Lemon Area Foundation Board.
Brenda La Grange Johnson
is an active member of the American Cancer Society, where she is a member
of the Board of Directors. Johnson has also served as a supervisor and
teacher for the Operation Head Start Program at Public School 309 in Brooklyn,
New York, as well as an elementary school teacher at Public School 75 in
Brooklyn. In 1984, Johnson was selected chairman of the Duke University
Class of '61 Annual Fund Drive, which is a position she continues to hold
today.
Mary Kate Johnson
served as the Deputy Finance Director of Bush - Cheney 2000, and then later
as Finance Director for the 2001 Presidential Inaugural Committee. Johnson
also served as Deputy Director of the Team 100 program within the Republican
National Committee. Prior to the campaign, Johnson held the offices of
Finance Director of the Massachusetts Republican Party and Northeast Finance
Representative to the RNC in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Congresswoman Nancy
Johnson was first elected in 1982 to represent Connecticut's Sixth
Congressional District, and was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2002 to her
eleventh term. She is the fourth ranking Republican in the U.S. House of
Representatives, and was the first Republican woman named to the House
Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over the tax code, trade
policy, Medicare, Social Security, and welfare law. Additionally, she serves
as Chairwoman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee.
Wendy Jones is one
of the founders and chair of the Vesta Roy Excellence in Public Service
Series, a prestigious national program whose mission is to increase the
number of Republican women elected or appointed to government positions
at the local, state and national levels. Jones is on Bush-Cheney 04 Steering
Committee for New Hampshire and co-chair for Strafford County Steering
Committee. She lives in Durham with her husband, Turner, son, Christopher,
daughter, Ivey, and looks forward to visits from her grandson, John Turner.
U.S. Congresswoman Sue
Kelly is serving in her fifth term representing the 19th Congressional
District of New York. She is chairman of the House Financial Services Oversight
and Investigations Subcommittee where she has been an active proponent
for corporate reform and supported efforts to disrupt terrorist financing
activities. Additionally, she serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee in a senior position. She and her husband, Edward, reside in
Katonah, N.Y. and have four children and eight grandchildren.
Karen Kerrigan founded
a nonprofit, small business advocacy group in 1994 and now serves as the
group's chairman. Kerrrigan also founded in September 2002 a nonprofit
business association that helps women business owners succeed through education,
networking and advocacy. Kerrigan was named to the Power 30 list of key
advocates in Washington, in September 2000 by Fortune Small Business and
in 1995, National Journal named Kerrigan to its short list of "K Street"
activists less than 40 years of age most likely to have an impact on Capitol
Hill. She is a native of New York and currently resides in Oakton, Virginia.
Bobbie Kilberg was
named president of the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) in September
1998. As president, Kilberg leads and manages the largest technology council
in the nation with about 1,300 member companies employing 170,000 people.
In addition, she has served U.S. Presidents in a variety of roles she was
named a White House Fellow in 1969 and served first on the staff of the
Domestic Policy council in the Nixon White House and then as Staff Assistant
to the President; she was the Associate Counsel to the President in 1975
and 1976 for President Ford; and she was the Deputy Assistant to the President
for Public Liaison from 1989 to 1992 for President Bush.
Rita Kirk is the campaign
manager for the Bergen County Republican Organization County Ticket and
the Bush-Cheney '04 NJ State Chair for the women's coalition. Kirk is an
alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention for the State
of New Jersey in 2004. Kirk is also very active in her community in many
positions, including coach of the Ramsey Hockey Association.
Beverly Kitaoka is
a senior vice president with an employee-owned, diversified high technology,
Fortune 500 corporation. Kitaoka was appointed by Florida's Governor Jeb
Bush to leadership positions at IT Florida, which promotes growth of technology-based
business in the state and the Emerging Technologies Commission, which allocated
funds to the state's universities for the establishment of Centers of Excellence.
Kelly Knight currently
serves on the the University of Kentucky Children's Hospital Board and
Chaired the Healthcare division of the United Way for the Bluegrass Division
2003 campaign. She and her husband, Judson, reside in Lexington, Kentucky
with their two daughters.
Doro Bush Koch is
the daughter of former President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush, and the sister
of President George W. Bush. Koch will attend the Republican National Convention
as a delegate from the state of Maryland. Koch is the founder of the Maryland
Initiative of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and chaired
the first-ever Maryland Celebration of Reading this year. Koch serves on
the Board of the National Rehabilitation Hospital, the Washington Golf
Charities Board, and the St. Francis Episcopal Day School Board. She and
her husband, Bobby Koch, have four children.
Patricia Reilly Koch
is the founder and president of a Maryland based firm that operates specialty
retail foodservice concepts and restaurants in major metropolitan transportation
hubs in the mid-Atlantic region. Reilly Koch worked and traveled extensively
on the Bush-Cheney 2000 campaign and is currently serving on the 2004 re-election
campaign, traveling with the President's sister, Doro Bush Koch, to coordinate
appearances at state and local events. She and her husband, Daniel Koch,
have four children and reside in Potomac, Maryland.
Jane Lane works part
time in a Kansas law firm and is a constituent services representatives
for U.S. Congressman Charles F. Bass. Lane has been the president of the
New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women and has served on the board
of directors for the National Federation of Republican Women. Lane is also
on the board of directors of the Keene Rotary Club and is active in the
Cheshire Unit Board of the American Cancer Society.
Terri Lynn Land was
elected secretary of state in November 2002 in the state of Michigan. Land's
position as state co-chair for the Bush-Cheney 04 campaign has given her
an opportunity to use her characteristic energy and enthusiasm to reach
out to new supporters and motivate longtime activists. A longtime Republican
activist, Land has served as Precinct Delegate, County Party Executive
Director, County Chair, State Committeewoman and District Chair. She married
Dan Hibma in 1983, and the couple has two children together, Jessica and
Nicholas.
Lauren Lebovitz and
her husband, Michael, are from Chattanooga, Tennessee and have three young
children.Lebovitz is involved with theJewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga,
where she has been a member of the board for the past 5 years. Her main
interest is children's healthcare and she has also workedand served on
the boardsof the Hunter Museum and Chattanooga Cares,a local AIDS organization.
Mara Letica is a key
executive in the packing industry. Along with her major commitment to her
business and family, Letica, along with her father, organized a lawyers
group throughout the United States to supervise elections in Croatia in
1990 and worked diligently to ensure a peaceful and successful transition
for Croatia from a communist country to a free market democracy. In recognition
of her tremendous work, former President Bush nominated her as Ambassador
to Croatia in 1992.
Linda Lingle is the
sixth elected Governor of Hawaii, the first woman to be elected to lead
the state, and the first Republican governor since 1962. Through her close
ties with the National Governors Association, Governor Lingle is helping
Hawaii gain greater prominence on the national and international scenes,
which includes working with the federal government to elevate Hawaii's
role in promoting peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. She
resides in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Tami Longaberger is
president and CEO of a family-owned national direct-selling company that
is recognized as one of the 500 largest privately held companies in the
U.S. by Forbes Magazine and 18th largest woman-owned company in the U.S.
by Working Woman Magazine. Longaberger was appointed by then Ohio Governor,
currently U.S. Senator George Voinovich, to a nine-year term on the Ohio
State University Board of Trustees Glenn Institute for Public Service and
Public Policy and she was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in
1995. She and her family reside in Zanesville, Ohio.
Cynthia Lummis was
elected Wyoming state treasurer in 1998. Prior to this, she served a total
of fourteen years in the Wyoming House and Senate concentrating on natural
resource and taxation issues. She was recently elected chairman of the
Western State Treasurer's Association.
Anne Lynch is a vice-chairman
of the Bush-Cheney '04 re-election campaign continuing her work in politics
having served last year as executive director of the Arizona Republican
Party. Prior to this appointment, Lynch was special assistant to Governor
Jane Dee Hull overseeing board and commission appointments, constituent
services and the State Employees Charitable Campaign (SECC). She and her
husband, Bob, have three daughters.
Debra Lyons is owner
of a consulting firm, specializing in technical training, communications,
public relations and project management. Previously a design engineer she
holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and a masters in mechanical
engineering. Lyons also serves as president and founder a community service
organization encouraging parent involvement and participation in the education
of children and youth. Married to Dr. Tony Lyons, they are proud parents
of four children, Michael, Christine, Stephanie and John.
Adair Margo founded
an art gallery that exhibits contemporary art from the United States and
Mexico as well as historic Texas art. Margo is an honorary member of the
US-Mexico Fund for Culture and chairs EXHIBITS USA, a national subsidiary
of Mid-America Arts Alliance, headquartered in Kansas City. Margo is the
founding President of the FEMAP Foundation (Mexican Federation of Private
Health and Economic Development Associations), which helps deliver child
and maternal healthcare services for Arranque Parejo en la Vida (An Even
Start in Life). She and her husband, Dee Margo, have two sons.
Rosario Marin is a
former treasurer of the United States; the first foreign-born citizen to
hold this position. Prior to becoming treasurer, Marin served as mayor
and councilwoman of the city of Huntington Park, California. She also worked
as public relations manager for the Hispanic Market of Southern California
for AT&T. She has also served as deputy director of the Governor's
Office of Community Relations in Los Angeles, assistant deputy director
of the California State Department of Social Services, chair of the State
Council on Developmental Disabilities, and chief of legislative affairs
for the Department of Developmental Services.
Judy Martz was elected
as Montana's first female governor on November 7, 2000. Four years earlier,
she was elected as the state's first female lieutenant governor. Governor
Martz program for Montana includes creating and retaining good paying job
opportunities for all Montanans, state tax reform, and improving the education
funding for Montana's public schools. During her tenure, the first major
tax reform in three decades was passed, and the Office of Economic Opportunity
was created to promote Montana business.
Mary Matalin served
as assistant to President George W. Bush and counselor to Vice President
Dick Cheney, and was the first White House official to hold that double
title. Matalin was chief of staff for the Republican National Committee
during the first Bush's term and was named Deputy Campaign Manager for
his re-election bid in 1992. Matalin is a Republican strategist and a political
commentator. Matalin previously hosted CNN's Crossfire and was a founding
co-host of CNBC's "Equal Time." She and her husband, James Carville, have
two daughters.
Martha Stobaugh McCaskill
is an executive broker and relocation director. Recently, she became president-elect
of the Little Rock Realtors Association and a founding partner of Women
Impacting Public Policy. McCaskill is a member of numerous organizations,
and is a Director of the Board of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.
Susan Rasinski McCaw
is president of an investment company and a member of Stanford University's
Board of Trustees, and currently serves as Co-Chair of Stanford's Campaign
for Undergraduate Education. McCaw is currently serving as Finance Co-Chair
for Bush-Cheney '04 in Washington State. She and her husband, Craig McCaw,
have three children.
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter
is the CEO of the largest private custom publishing company in the U.S,
and the former U.S. Ambassador to Finland (2001-2003). McElveen-Hunter
served as finance chairman for Elizabeth Dole's campaign. McElveen-Hunter
has served as a member of the International Board of Directors of Habitat
for Humanity, and a board member of Habitat's First Ladies Build. She and
her husband, Byrum Merritt Hunter, have a 20 year-old son.
Colleen McHugh represents
management in a full range of labor and employment matters, including counseling
and advising corporate managers, formulating preventive strategies, drafting
policies and procedures, preparing employment agreements, negotiating agreements
and settlements, and representing employers in administrative proceedings
and in court. McHugh is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by
the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and in 2003, she earned the distinction
of Texas Super Lawyer in labor and employment law.
Jo McKenzie currently
works as the Senior Aide in the Office of the Governor in Connecticut.
She has been a leader in the service industry as well as in the political
arena. Before working in the Office of the Governor, she was Deputy Sergeant
at Arms for the 1992 Republican National Convention and served as the Sergeant
at Arms for the 1996 Republican National Convention, all while managing
her own business.
Arlene Mitchell resides
in Mobile, Alabama and is the honorary campaign chair for Mobile's Ronald
McDonald House. Mitchell currently serves on the boards of the Community
Foundation of South Alabama, the Mobile Preschool for the Sensory Impaired,
Senior Citizens Services of Mobile, and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater
Mobile.
Cleta Mitchell is
a Washington DC attorney with more than 20 years experience in law, politics
and public policy. She was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from 1976-1984, and she was a candidate for lieutenant governor there in
1986. Mitchell is a frequent guest commentator on election law and politics
on TV, and has written a number of articles for newspapers nationwide.
Suzie Mitchell is
president and CFO of a major research and communications firm. She has
extensive experience in public relations, strategic planning, governmental
affairs and communications management. She is also a nationally recognized
fundraiser for major donor programs. Mitchell resides in Michigan with
her husband, Steve.
U.S. Congresswoman Susan
Molinari was a member of Congress from 1990-1997 and was elected by
her colleagues to the eight person Republican Majority Leadership. Molinari
was the keynote speaker at the 1996 Republican National Convention. Molinari
left Congress to co-anchor CBS News "Saturday Morning" and is currently
a regular contributor to CNBC's "Capital Report." She and her husband,
former New York Congressman Bill Paxon, have two daughters.
Betty Montgomery is the first
woman to serve as the auditor of the state of Ohio. A lifelong public servant,
Montgomery began her career as a criminal prosecutor. Following that, she
was elected to her first public office as a member of the Ohio Senate.
Montgomery later made history as the first woman to serve as attorney general
in Ohio.
Velma Montoya is a
Ph.D. in economics at UCLA. Among her many roles and honors, Montoya is
a member of the University of California Board of Regents and the U.S.
Senate Republican Task Force on Hispanic Affairs Advisory Committee. She
serves as president of the National Council of Hispanic Women, commissioner
of a federal review commission, and as an expert economist for the federal
government.
Alma Morales is the
president and CEO of a national Latina organization. Morales, in her role
as national chairwoman of the American GI Forum, has served as vice-chair
of the Hispanic Education Foundation, board secretary of National SER,
Jobs for Progress, and board member of the National Veterans Outreach Program.
She has two children and two grandchildren.
Jessie Morton is the
immediate past president of the Louisiana Federation of Republican Women.
Currently, Morton is chair of POWER PAC (Political Organization of Women
to Elect Republicans-Louisiana), and chair of CHANGE LOUSIANA, a dynamic
switch program to make the Republican party the majority political party
in the state. Morton is married, has two grown children and five grandchildren
Georgette Mosbacher
launched and manages a venture capital and marketing firm specializing
in business turnarounds and is the CEO of a prestigious beauty company.
Mosbacher is the Republican National Committeewoman for the state of New
York. Mosbacher was also a delegate from New York for both the 1996 and
2000 Republican National Conventions.
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski,
the first Alaskan-born Senator to serve the state, has worked on state
issues all her life with a special interest in natural resources, economic
development, education and health care. She is currently a Deputy Whip
to the Republican leadership, and was elected to three terms in the Alaska
State House of Representatives prior to joining the Senate in December
2002. The Senator is married to Verne Martell, an Anchorage small business
owner, and they have two sons.
Nancy Gore Murkowski
is married to Governor Frank Murkowski of the state of Alaska. Murkowski
helped found the Breast Cancer Detection Center of Alaska in Fairbanks
and won the sixth annual Action for Cancer Awareness from the Cancer Research
Foundation of America for her efforts. She and her husband reside in Juneau,
have six grown children and twelve grandchildren.
Marilyn Musgrave was
elected to represent Colorado's Fourth Congressional District in the United
States Congress in November of 2002. Serving in her first term, she sits
on the House Committees on Agriculture, Small Business, and the Committee
on Education and the Workforce.
U.S. Congresswoman Sue
Myrick was first elected to Congress in 1995, representing North Carolina's
9th district, after building a successful advertising and public relations
business, and serving two terms as Mayor of Charlotte, the state's largest
city and commercial hub. She serves on the Rules Committee, the Republican
Study Committee, the Speaker's Task Force for a Drug-Free America, and,
as a breast cancer survivor, co-chairs the House Cancer Caucus.
Terry Neese is president
of WIPP: Women Impacting Public Policy, a national bi-partisan public policy
organization advocating for women in business and was recognized in the
September 2000 issue of Fortune Magazine as one of the Power 30--the most
influential small businesspersons in Washington, D.C. Neese also runs a
corporate and government public policy strategies firm with rapid response
surveying capabilities.
Connie Nicholas was
elected national committeewoman in North Dakota in August of 1992. In addition
to the many other committees she serves on, Connie is also a farm owner
and substitute teacher. She has a long history of serving the Republican
Party in various capacities and was the Coordinator for District #10 and
#15 Legislative campaigns from 1974-1994.
U.S. Congresswoman Anne
Northup was elected to represent the third congressional district of
Kentucky in 1996 and won re-election in 2002. Northup currently serves
on the Appropriations Committee, where she sits on the Labor, HHS, Education,
Transportation and Treasury subcommittees. Northup is the co-chair of the
Congressional Coalition on Adoption and has been integral part of legislation
that promotes adoption. She and her husband, Robert Northup, have six children.
Karen Nussle is a
legislative strategist, providing strategic counsel on legislative and
communications initiatives for many clients. She has 10 years of lobbying
and Capitol Hill experience where she worked for Speaker of the House Newt
Gingrich developing and implementing legislative and communication strategies
for the Republican leadership and the Speaker.
Christine Toretti Olson
of Pennsylvania is the chairman and CEO of the largest privately held land-based
drilling company in the United States. She also serves on various boards
and non-profit boards around the nation. Her leadership is so respected
that Governor Ridge appointed her to Pennsylvania's State System of Higher
education and subsequently adopted a plan she crafted to fund investments
in higher education. Governor Mark Schweiker appointed her as his representative
on the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.
Frances Owens is married
to Governor Bill Owens of the state of Colorado. Owens serves as honorary
chair for the Early Childhood Intervention Awareness Day and she received
the Humanitarian Award from the Republican Women Leadership Forum in recognition
of her civic involvement. Owens has also been active in supporting Recording
for the Blind and Dyslexic, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Colorado Historical
Society. She and her husband have three children.
Libby Pataki is married
to Governor George Pataki of the state of New York. Pataki has been an
advocate of increased public awareness of breast cancer and has been active
in American Cancer Society, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Fashion
Targets Breast Cancer, 1 in 9, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Pataki
hosted the first official Prayer Breakfast in Albany after learning that
New York was the last state to adopt this tradition. She and her husband
have four children.
Kathy Pearson is a
small business owner of an employment recruiting firm. She is involved
at the local, state and national level with Republican Women. She is on
the board of the Women's Business Center of Iowa, an organization that
helps women start businesses, and is also the chair of a non-profit organization,
Equipping Youth, that focuses on character building, mentoring and prevention
programs for at risk youth. She also serves on the Goodwill Business Advisory
Council and on the advisory board for Kirkwood Community College.
Dreama J. Perdue is
involved at the county, state and national level with Republican women.
She is on the executive committee for the Friends of the Lewis House, she
is president of the Women's Federated League in Fayette County and she
is very involved in amateur golf in West Virginia. She is married to Ernie
Perdue and they have one son and two grandchildren.
Mary Perdue, first
lady of Georgia, is married to Governor Sonny Perdue. They have four children
and three grandchildren. Having been a speech therapist to children at
every grade level, she has made Georgia's education a priority by advocating
local control and increased parental involvement in the education process.
She also launched Our Children Campaign to encourage more individuals,
corporations and faith community organizations to take an active role in
addressing the human needs of their local communities.
Anita Perry is married
to Governor Rick Perry of the state of Texas. Perry continues to pursue
her dedication to improving the health of Texans and often draws from her
own nursing experiences when promoting health care issues, and actively
encourages young Texans to consider careers in nursing. Perry serves as
an advocate on a variety of issues including family violence prevention,
Alzheimer's disease education and breast cancer awareness. Perry has also
been actively committed to opening new doors of opportunity to women and
she frequently addresses women's groups around the state and, along with
Governor Perry, helped develop and host the Texas Conference for Women
for the past three years. She and her husband have two children.
Anne Neal Petri is
president of a non-profit organization dedicated to academic freedom and
excellence in higher education. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard
College and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1980. She has served as
general counsel of the National Endowment for the Humanities and as a First
Amendment and communications lawyer with two private law firms.
Jeanne Johnson Phillips
is the chairman and CEO of an international consulting firm with offices
in Dallas, TX and Washington, DC. Phillips was also a senior advisor for
the George W. Bush Presidential Exploratory Committee and 2000 Presidential
Campaign, then the deputy chairman for the Victory 2000 Committee.
Annie Presley is the
currently vice-chair of Missouri's Bush Cheney 04 re-election team and
was the National Deputy Finance Director for the 2000 campaign. Presley
is the principal of a public affairs company with offices in Washington,
D.C. and Kansas City and she sits on not-for-profit boards in New York
City, Los Angeles, and Kansas City. She serves on a federal council on
small business issues.
U.S. Congresswoman Deborah
Pryce was elected to serve the 15th District of Ohio in the U.S. Congress
in 1992. She serves as chairman of the House Republican Conference, making
her the highest-ranking Republican to ever serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Pryce also serves on the key House Rules Committee and as Deputy Majority
Whip where she has gained the reputation as a consensus builder. A long-time
advocate for adoption, she currently serves on several committees dealing
with this issue. Pryce lives in Upper Arlington, Ohio with her daughter,
Mia.
Theresa Racicot is
the former first lady of Montana. She is married to Marc Racicot, the chairman
of Bush-Cheney 04. They have five children.
Sandra Schlicker Renfro
is the executive officer of a premier scientific society for clinical nutritionists
in medicine and the health sciences. From 1995 to 2002, she was a senior
program officer at the Food and Nutrition Board, a unit of the Institute
of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. Before joining this board,
Schlicker Renfro was vice-president of a Washington D.C. based consulting/research
firm focused on public policy issues.
Gaby Reynolds is married
to Ambassador Mercer Reynolds and is the mother of five children. She has
been actively involved in community service with a specialty of working
in the inner city and education issues. She has served on various boards
involved in education.
Sandie Ridings is
a successful entrepreneur and within four years of business ownership,
she was awarded the prestigious Rising Star Award from the Charlotte Chapter
of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Ridings was also
appointed by the Charlotte City Council to the City of Charlotte's Business
Advisory Committee. She is the 2004- 2005 President Elect for National
Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Charlotte Board of Directors
and is a current member of WIPP - Women Impacting Public Policy.
Ann Romney is married
to Governor Mitt Romney of the state of Massachusetts. Romney was diagnosed
with multiple sclerosis in 1998, was awarded the Multiple Sclerosis Society
Annual Hope Award, and is dedicated to helping raise awareness of the disease.
Romney has been a long supporter and leader in the United Way of Massachusetts
Bay and also is the co-chair of the Faith in Action Committee. Romney is
also active in the Children's Trust Fund, the Boston Ten Point Coalition,
the American Red Cross, and the Perkins School for the Blind. She and her
husband have five sons and six grandchildren.
Assemblywoman Sharon Runner
(R-Lancaster) established a public relations and marketing company
organized and directed the California Bush for President Campaign, serving
as a Regional Co-chair for the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa
Barbara. Runner's hard efforts earned her recognition by Senator Bob Dole
and President George W. Bush who both appointed her as a delegate to the
1996 and 2000 Republican National Conventions. She and her husband former
Assembly member, George Runner, who represented the old 36th District,
reside in Sacramento and they have two children.
U.S. Congresswoman Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen is the first Hispanic woman elected to the United States
Congress. She serves the 8th Congressional district in Florida. Ros-Lehtinen
serves on the International Relations and Government Reform Committees,
and is the first Hispanic Woman to chair a subcommittee. As chair of the
Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia, she helps shape foreign
policy. Ros-Lehtinen was born in Havana, Cuba in 1952, and came to the
United States with her family fleeing communist aggression when she was
seven years old.
Patricia Rowland is
married to Governor John Rowland of the State of Connecticut. Rowland is
a key spokesperson for the American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Awareness
Program, a member of the board of electors of the Wadsworth Athenaeum in
Hartford, and a spokesperson for the Salvation Army's annual holiday kettle
drive. Rowland is honorary chair of the Connecticut Tourism Council, Friends
of Connecticut State Parks and the Governor's Residence Conservancy. She
has two sons and her husband has three children.
Carol Saeman led the
fund raising effort to build Samaritan House, a refuge that provides baseline
services to Denver's homeless population. Saeman currently serves on the
Board of Directors of Saint John Vianney Seminary, the Culture of Life
Foundation, Legatus Board of Governors, Nurturing Network and the Fellowship
of Catholic University Students. She and her husband, John, are owners
an investment entity located in Denver, Colorado and they have three children
and eleven grandchildren.
Joan Schlueter is
a member and one of the original National Founding Partners of WIPP (Women
Impacting Public Policy). She and her husband live Albuquerque, New Mexico,
have two grown children and two granddaughters.
Barbie Shakespeare
serves as Congressman Devin Nunes' representative to the Fresno County
Republican Central Committee, is on the Kingsburg Swedish Festival organizing
committee, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Marjaree Mason Center,
a shelter for women and children victims of domestic violence. She was
recently named Central Valley Regional Chair for the Women's Coalition
for Bush-Cheney '04.
Kathleen Shanahan
is currently employed as a managing director of a consulting firm in New
York City. Shanahan served as chief of staff for Florida Governor Jeb Bush
from January 2001 through November 2003. Shanahan was the chief of staff
for Vice-Presidential nominee Dick Cheney through 2000 campaign and transition.
Shanahan was also special assistant to then Vice President George Bush,
as well as staff assistant with President Reagan's National Security Council.
State Senator Florence
Shapiro is in her third term in the Texas Senate where her underlying
goal is to improve accountability in Texas schools, both in public education
and in higher education and foster educational excellence and opportunities
for all Texans. Shapiro is also president of an advertising, public relations
and special events agency. She lives in Plano with her husband Howard and
they have three married children
Judy Singleton is
the co-founder of the Excellence in Public Service Series, a national Republican
women's political leadership development program which operates in several
states across the country. Named one of Indianapolis' Most Influential
Women and a Perham Indiana Woman of Achievement, Singleton is also a businesswoman
and author. She and her husband, Jim, have three children.
U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe
is currently serving her second term in the U. S. Senate representing the
state of Maine. She currently serves in the Senate leadership as counsel
to the Assistant Majority Leader. Her committee assignments include her
service on the important Senate Finance Committee, the Committee on Commerce,
Science and Transportation, the Senate Intelligence Committee, as well
as chairing the Senate Small Business Committee. In addition, she serves
on a subcommittee dealing with issues related to health insurance, Medicare,
and the uninsured and a subcommittee overseeing America's fisheries and
the Coast Guard. Senator Snowe is married to former Maine Governor John
R. McKernan, Jr.
Susan Schiffer Stautberg
is the president of a corporation that assembles and manages advisory boards
globally for businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations. Stautberg
has received numerous awards and honors, including Outstanding Young Women
of America, and has served on The Commission on President Scholars. She
and her husband, A. Theodore Stautberg, Jr., are the parents of one son.
Renee Stewart has
been a corporate secretary/treasurer for a small fundraising/consulting
firm in D.C. owned by her husband, Wyatt. Stewart has worked on many campaigns
and co-chaired the President's Dinner during the Reagan presidency. She
and her husband reside in Washington, D.C. and have a daughter and a son.
Candace Straight is
a private investor and investment-banking consultant specializing in the
insurance industry. Appointed by Governor Christine Todd Whitman to the
board of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority in 1994, Straight
was vice-chairman from 1996 to January 2003 and also served on Mayor Rudolph
Giuliani's and Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Private/Public Initiatives Council.
Straight is the co-chair of the Republican Party of the state of New Jersey.
Carole Keeton Strayhorn
was the first woman in history elected Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
She was re-elected Comptroller in 2002. Strayhorn has a resume full of
"firsts"- first woman president of the Austin School Board, and first woman
president of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees; first woman
mayor of Austin, and the only mayor elected for three successive terms;
first woman in history elected to the Texas Railroad Commission- and re-elected
in 1996 with the highest vote total in a statewide contested race.
Kathleen Stockham
is the Vice President of Marketing for the largest publisher of business
journals and was the Director of Advertising for a major office supply
company for many years. Stockham is politically active in a number of organizations.
Stockham is also a national founding partner for WIPP (Women Impacting
Public Policy). She and her husband reside in Charlotte, NC with their
two children.
Marguerite Sullivan
is the vice president for communications and external affairs for the International
Republican Institute. Sullivan was chief of staff to Lynne Cheney during
the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign, deputy director for vice presidential operations
for the Bush-Cheney Inauguration, and executive director of the Washington
Office of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Sharon Sykas was in
corporate management for over 20 years in New York City then moved to Stratham,
NH with her husband. Sykas is a town chair for Congressman Jeb Bradley
and is a member of the Bush-Cheney 2004 Steering Committee. In 1998, Sharon
received the Seacoast Business Professional Women (BPW) Women of Achievement
Award for her volunteerism
Mary Beth Savary Taylor
serves as a national leader for a major health association. Taylor is responsible
for working with regulatory agencies on efforts to streamline health care
regulation, improve blood safety, and enhance patient safety. She is also
a liaison to Capitol Hill on hospital issues.
Diane Thompson has
been a leader among Republican women since the early 1980s, having received
several awards for her service and leadership. Thompson has also been a
delegate-at-large to the Republican National Conventions and has held leadership
positions in more than 25 statewide and national campaigns. She and her
husband, James F. Thompson, have one daughter.
Judy Topinka was elected
as Illinois's first woman State Treasurer in 1994 and reelected in 1998.
Topinka was unanimously elected Chair of the Illinois State Republican
Party in 2002. Topinka belongs to more than 60 business and professional
organizations, including the City Club of Chicago and the Government Finance
Officers Association.
Roberta Lynn Voss
is co-founder and partner of a political consulting firm based in Arizona
and is politically active in the Republican party. Prior to this, Voss
was elected as the State Representative for District 19 where she served
six years in the House, and was most recently the chairman of the House
Judiciary Committee. Voss is also an alumna of the American Council of
Young Political Leaders and was chosen as a representative of the United
States to travel to Israel and Egypt on behalf of this organization.
Ann Wagner is the
co-chairman of the Republican National Committee and is serving her third
term as chairman of the Missouri Republican Party. Wagner directed the
development of the acclaimed Winning Women Initiative, and ambitious program
designed to communicate the Republican Party's positive message to women
and involve more Republican women in politics at all levels. Wagner serves
on the board of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the
National Advisory Board of Campfire USA and the St. Louis Children's Hospital.
Ann and her husband, Ray Wagner, have three children.
Christie Todd Whitman
is the co-chair of the New Jersey Bush-Cheney 04 campaign and is also a
member of the Steering Committee of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Leadership Council; Co-chair of the National Smart Growth Council, an initiative
of Smart Growth America; a member of the United Nations Secretary-General's
Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation. Whitman served as Administrator
of the Environmental Protection Agency from January 2001 to June 2003 and
served as the 50th Governor of New Jersey, from 1993 to 1999.is currently
writing a book about the place of moderates in American politics entitled
It's My Party, Too, which is due out in early 2005.
Joanne Young is a
partner at a Washington, D.C. law firm and leads its international transportation
practice. Young is a D.C. Republican Committee member. She is the president
of the International Aviation Women's Association, president-elect of the
Women's Bar Association and past president of the Washington Foreign Law
Society.