The North Carolinian Who Changed Public Service—and Continues to Inspire

Originally published in the Salisbury Post

By Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette

After the attacks on Pearl Harbor, a young girl in Salisbury joined the Girl Scouts in collecting postage stamps, tinfoil and wastepaper for the war effort. Three years later, when the war hit closer to home, she pledged to write a letter every day from summer camp, knowing that her mother was wearing a path to the mailbox hoping for news of her brother in the Pacific.  

These endearing childhood acts of compassion and service became the first inklings that Elizabeth Hanford, who grew up to become Senator Elizabeth Dole, would lead a life devoted to others undaunted by the expectations of her time.

Senator Dole’s mother had hoped her daughter would return from Duke with a degree in home economics and a man to marry. However, the Senator graciously declined any potential husbands and told her parents that the greater world was calling her. As time would reveal, Senator Dole would go on to lead a life as one of the most storied examples of public service — among both men and women — in our nation’s history.  

Last year, our state proudly paid tribute to this extraordinary leader who has always credited her North Carolina roots for the values that shaped her life. Senator Dole served our nation under five U.S. presidents. She served as commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission, as U.S. secretary of transportation and as U.S. secretary of labor. For eight years, she led the American Red Cross, and in 2002, she was elected to represent North Carolina in the U.S. Senate.

For many of these roles, the Senator had to blaze new paths for women. At Harvard Law School, she was scolded by a fellow student for “taking a man’s place.” While working for the White House, she had to contend with official meetings held at men-only clubs. In time, Senator Dole would make history as the first woman to the lead the U.S. Department of Transportation, the first to lead the U.S. Coast Guard (or any branch of the Armed Forces), the first woman to lead the American Red Cross since its founder Clara Barton, and the first woman to represent our state in the U.S. Senate.

One could hardly account for everything the Senator has accomplished. Her legacy includes billions of dollars directed to North Carolina’s rural economy; improved roadways, waterways and sewer infrastructure; a safer and more inclusive American workforce; and more than a half million lives saved — with 20,000 more each year — by her shepherding the nationwide 21-year-old drinking age, widespread seatbelt laws and mandatory airbags in cars.  

Perhaps most remarkable of all, Senator Dole continues her public service to this day. In 2011, when her late husband, Senator Bob Dole, was hospitalized at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, she witnessed the hardships of the other family members caring for wounded loved ones. When Bob was released from the hospital, Senator Dole established the Elizabeth Dole Foundation for military and veteran caregivers. She has since sparked a movement that has brought national attention and action in support of the 14.3 million Americans caring for a loved one who served.  

As I reflect on my own experiences in public service and leadership in and out of government, I am so thankful for the enormity of Senator Dole’s impact and her repeated ability to reach across the aisle and achieve great things. I am struck by how her example contrasts with the gridlock that grips our nation’s capital. Senator Dole has been fiercely political at times, but her loyalty to party ideology always yields to the best interests of the nation. That type of true patriotism makes all the difference, and we need more of it in today’s divided times.

As part of this summer’s tributes, Governor Stein proclaimed June 4 as “Senator Elizabeth Dole Day” and the section of I-85 running through Salisbury was named in her honor. Yet, the greatest way we can celebrate one of North Carolina’s most cherished public servants is to live by her example. Our values should always be put ahead of our party politics. Like Senator Dole has shown us, we will always accomplish more when we recognize our shared humanity and stand together, united, in compassion for all.  

Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette is secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs.