Our Visionary Founder

Senator Elizabeth Dole’s list of achievements demonstrates her lifelong commitment to service, made even more impressive by the fact that she was among the first, if not the first, woman to hold her positions.

First woman to be appointed U.S. Secretary of Transportation
I believe in the innate goodness of the American people. I believe in the values that made this country what it is—courage, perseverance, generosity, faith, and a commitment to service.

Senator Elizabeth Dole

Founder, Elizabeth Dole Foundation

A native of Salisbury, North Carolina, Elizabeth Dole graduated with distinction from Duke University as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and earned a law degree from Harvard Law School, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Harvard University. She served as Deputy to the Special Assistant for Consumer Affairs during the Nixon Administration, launching a career of dedication to public safety, for which she received the Humanitarian Award from the National Commission Against Drunk Driving and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. She was selected for induction into the Safety and Health Hall of Fame International for her transportation, workplace, and blood safety accomplishments. In the fall of 2012, the National Safety Council presented her the “Flame of Life Award” as one of the century’s foremost leaders on safety.

Her career includes six years as a member of the Federal Trade Commission, and two years as Assistant to President Reagan for Public Liaison. In 1983, she became the first woman to be appointed U.S. Secretary of Transportation, serving five years. She later served as U.S. Secretary of Labor, focusing her top priorities on workplace safety, resolving the very bitter 11-month Pittston Coal Strike, and initiatives to help youth­ at-risk.

Throughout her career, she has strived to help women and minorities reach their full potential.

Elizabeth Dole learned to leverage resources, look for innovative solutions and inspire people to work together to champion breakthrough issues of quantum importance during her years in public service. For example, as Secretary of Transportation, she worked with the late Senator Lautenberg and the late Senator Lugar to ensure enactment of the 21-year old drinking age. At virtually the same time, she issued a landmark regulation which is credited with widespread enactment of the first state safety belt laws and airbags in cars. These three actions, the “Trifecta”, have saved nearly 500,000 lives to date with a projected 20,000 per year going forward.

Elizabeth Dole was only the second woman to serve as President of the American Red Cross, founded by Clara Barton in 1881.

She restructured the world’s largest humanitarian organization during her eight years as president, serving as a volunteer in her first year. She led a massive transformation of the way the Red Cross collects, tests, and distributes one-half of the nation’s blood supply, to ensure that blood is safe to give and safe to get. 

Following the Red Cross, she sought the Republican presidential nomination, becoming the first viable female candidate from a major political party. Elected in 2002, Senator Dole became the first woman to represent North Carolina in the United States Senate.

In 2012, she founded Caring for Military Families: The Elizabeth Dole Foundation to raise awareness and support for the millions of young spouses, mothers, fathers and other loved ones caring for our nation’s wounded warriors at home.

She is leading a movement to expose the military caregiver crisis and generate critical resources to help these hidden heroes.

Senator Dole has received numerous awards. Most recently, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Biden. She has also received the Sylvanus Thayer Award from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; the George Catlett Marshall Medal from the Association of the United States Army; the Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service; and the Hiring Our Heroes President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement bestowed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. She has also received the Distinguished Service Medal from the American Legion; the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, Department of the Army; and the Military Officers Association of America’s National Service Award. She was honored by Public Counsel with its prestigious William O. Douglas Award, and she is the proud recipient of the AARP Andrus Award, and the Former Members of Congress Association’s Civic Statesmanship Award, among others. Senator Dole resides in Washington, D.C.

July 29, 1936

Born in Salisbury, North Carolina

Elizabeth as a little girl. reading with her mother

June 2, 1958

Graduated Duke University

Elizabeth at Duke University

1965

Graduated Harvard Law School

Elizabeth (front row, middle) was one of only 24 women in a class of 550 at Harvard Law School

1973

Appointed to Federal Trade Commission

Elizabeth with President Gerald Ford and Senator Bob Dole

1975

Marriage to Senator Bob Dole

Elizabeth's Wedding Day

1983

Secretary of Transportation under President Ronald Reagan

Elizabeth with President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office

1989

Secretary of Labor under President George H.W. Bush

Elizabeth with President George H. W. Bush

1991

Head of the American Red Cross

Elizabeth at a Rwandan refugee camp

1996

Senator Bob Dole’s Presidential Campaign

Elizabeth joins her husband, Senator Bob Dole at the Republican National Convention

2000

Candidate for Republican Presidential Nomination

Elizabeth runs for President of the United States

2002

North Carolina's first female Senator

Elizabeth is elected to the U.S. Senate

2012

Founded the Elizabeth Dole Foundation

Elizabeth creates the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the nation's first organization dedicated to serving and supporting military and veteran caregivers

Elizabeth as a little girl. reading with her mother
Elizabeth at Duke University
Elizabeth (front row, middle) was one of only 24 women in a class of 550 at Harvard Law School
Elizabeth with President Gerald Ford and Senator Bob Dole
Elizabeth's Wedding Day
Elizabeth with President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office
Elizabeth with President George H. W. Bush
Elizabeth at a Rwandan refugee camp
Elizabeth joins her husband, Senator Bob Dole at the Republican National Convention
Elizabeth runs for President of the United States
Elizabeth is elected to the U.S. Senate
Elizabeth creates the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the nation's first organization dedicated to serving and supporting military and veteran caregivers
July 29, 1936
June 2, 1958
1965
1973
1975
1983
1989
1991
1996
2000
2002
2012