Elizabeth Dole

Elizabeth Dole was born Salisbury, North Carolina, during The Great Depression. Her parents, John Van Hanford and Mary Ella Cathey, were the owners of a successful floral business and the family didn't suffer the financial hardships of so many around them. Her parents were believers in striving for excellence and friendly competition, and instilled those beliefs in Elizabeth and her older brother, John. Nicknamed Libby, she showed leadership traits from an early age and in school was a high achiever. She attended Duke University and excelled there, also, becoming Student Body President. Then she attended Harvard, at a time when few women did, and earned a Master in Education and then a law degree from Harvard Law School. After graduating, she moved to Washington, D.C., and found work for the government. Her first White House job was as a staff assistant in the Dept. of Health, Education & Welfare. In 1968 she was appointed legislative assistant to Betty Furness, Consumer Affairs Advis