Dole Elizabeth

American civil servant and politician whose success as a Washington insider has been matched by few men or women. Elizabeth Dole is the only woman who has served as a Cabinet Secretary for two federal departments (Transportation 1983-1987, and Labor 1989-1990) under two presidents (Reagan and Bush) and she worked in the White House as a consumer affairs adviser by the age of 33 -- a record her husband Bob Dole joked he couldnt match. An effective public speaker, she cloaks her ambition with warmth and charm. Spontaneity and frivolity are not part of her agenda; everything is scripted in single minded preparation for her goals. In the process, Dole, a Republican since 1978, has become one of the best-known women in government, an articulate, popular and respected figure with politicians of both parties. Her law degree from Harvard took her to Washington in 1965 for her first job in the White House in an increasingly visible public career. She served as associate director of legislative affairs for President Johnsons consumer office, as executive director of President Nixons Commission on Consumer interests, as a member of the Federal Trade Commission under Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter and as a special White House assistant and then Transportation Secretary for President Reagan in January 1983. Elizabeth Dole is the daughter of John Van Hanford, a prosperous business owner of floral products, and the former Mary Ella Cathey. At the age of two, she gave herself the name of "Liddy" but does not care to be called by her nickname as an adult professional woman. She had a comfortable childhood, complete with a summer house and ballet lessons. Her goal-oriented parents emphasized self-improvement as a "measure of personal growth" and competition was encouraged as a healthy outlet. Her talents as a leader and organizer were apparent from childhood with her peers. She called her mother her best friend and adored her one brother, John, 13 years older than she and the same age as Robert Dole. She followed John’s footsteps by enrolling in Duke University in the fall of 1954, majoring in political science. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, chosen as an attractive May Queen, and elected student body president. After postgraduate work at Oxford in 1959 she attended Harvard where she earned a masters degree in education and then a law degree, one of 25 women in the entering class of more than 500. Her first White House job was as a staff assistant in the Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare. For a brief stint, Dole left the White House to practice law, representing indigent clients, and she returned to the Government in 1968 as legislative assistant to President Johnsons consumer affairs adviser, Betty Furness. In 1973, President Nixon named her to a seven-year-term on the Federal Trade Commission. After Bob Dole lost his presidential candidacy bid in November 1980, Elizabeth played a prominent role in the transition to the Reagan White House. In the new administration, she was named special assistant for public liaison in charge of carrying the Administrations message to special interest groups including both business and labor. By June 1981 she had chalked up more than 300 speaking tours and meetings with her usual energy and initiative. In January 1983, Reagan named her Secretary of Transportation and a month later, the appointment was approved. Remaining in this post for four years, Elizabeth Dole can take credit for air bags, air Read less