Jean Carnahan on Families & Children
Long history as Missouri’s First Lady on family issues
Even before her appointment, Carnahan had already shown how strongly she felt about Missouri’s families and their impact on the future of the state and nation. As First Lady, she advocated for childhood immunization and created an annual arts festival
for children. She was the co-founder of Children in the Workplace, a project to develop employer-supported, on-site daycare centers for working families. She frequently spoke on behalf of victims of domestic violence and for those who struggle with
cancer, osteoporosis, mental health, and drug problems. She raised funds for the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center and helped build homes for Habitat for Humanity. Each Thanksgiving, the Carnahans served meals to the needy at the Salvation Army kitchen, a
tradition she and her family continued just weeks after her husband’s death.
In 1998, Mrs. Carnahan completed her first book, “If Walls Could Talk,” a 440-page history of Missouri’s first families and the challenges they faced in public service.
Source: Senate web site, carnahan.senate.gov/
Jan 8, 2001
Workplace child-care & more commitment to families
Jean Carnahan made speeches several days a week on her husband’s Senate campaign trail and worked on state legislation for better health care and education. She advocated the Equal Rights Amendment, gun control, & workplace child-care centers.
Jean Carnahan declined to be interviewed for this article, but in a campaign commercial she said she shared her husband’s commitment to families, children and the elderly.
Source: Kevin Murphy, The Kansas City Star
Nov 4, 2000