Conservative Profile #4--Karen Hughes

To be honest my first impression of Karen Hughes wasn't that great. I'm not sure what it was. But after reading her book "Ten Minutes From Normal" I was really impressed with her and even more impressed with W than I was before.

She was born on December 27, 1956 in Paris, France in an American Hospital. Her father was Hal Parfitt who was a U.S. Army General. As a result she had dual citizenship.

Career Highlights:
--Graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 1977
--Television News Reporter from 1977-1984
--Texas Press Coordinator for Reagan Campaign in 1984
--Worked for the Republican Party in the early 90's
--Worked on George W. Bush's campaign for Governor of Texas
--Director of Communications for Governor Bush from 1995-2000
--George W. Bush's campaign for President
--Counselor to the President from 2001-2002
--Worked for the Presiden't re-election campaign
--Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy from July 2005-present

She is married to attorney Jerry Hughes and mother to two children. She is a strong Christian who is an elder and a Sunday School Teacher in the Presbyterian Church. Her faith is a big part of her life. She says, “Faith is a foundation, a set of beliefs upon which my life is grounded and from which all decisions can be based.” She got the phrase "Lord, give me grace under pressure" from her minister and prays it before all her speech or television interviews.

When she was counselor to the President she was the highest-ranking woman ever to work at the White House. Yet throughout her whole life of having exciting jobs she always managed to juggle being a wife, a mother and a woman of faith.


It has been awhile since I've read her book but I had several impressions after reading it. First, I was so impressed by her genuine faith. Before, I didn't know if her Christianity was in name only. But after reading the book I saw how her faith was an integral part of her life. One of the neatest stories was the deep discussion she had with her minister on whether she should move to Washington D.C. to work in the White House. She wanted to make the right decision and I was so impressed with her minister for spending the time with her to talk about it.

Second, was how she juggled her career with her family. She left television for her "part-time years" to spend more time with her family in the late 80's. She asked W to let her bring her son on the campaign trail in 2000. What an awesome experience for a junior high kid to witness first hand a presidential campaign. And no one thought W would agree to it and yet he didn't even hesitate. I thought that was so great and really impressed me. And when her son was miserable in D.C. she left the White House and moved back to Texas. She seemed to have her priorities in order.

Third, was just what a neat, strong woman she was. Totally a power player. I loved all the great jobs she had and how she juggled everything but still maintained her integrity. I think she is a strong, conservative woman who is a great role model for all women and our daughters.

Sources:
"Ten Minutes From Normal" by Karen Hughes
Review of "Ten Minutes From Normal" by Sissy Jacobson
Wikipedia on Karen Hughes