Rise to the Challenge
eBook - ePub

Rise to the Challenge

A Memoir of Politics, Leadership, and Love

  1. English
  2. ePUB (mobile friendly)
  3. Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub

Rise to the Challenge

A Memoir of Politics, Leadership, and Love

About this book

The inspiring life story of Minnesota’s first woman lieutenant governor: breaking political ground, navigating patriarchal tradition, and persevering through great personal loss

Marking a milestone for women in state government, Marlene M. Johnson became Minnesota’s first woman lieutenant governor under Rudy Perpich’s gubernatorial administration in January 1983. That same year, she met her husband, Peter, and their deeply loving relationship profoundly sustained her for twenty-seven years. Rise to the Challenge weaves these personal and professional stories together in a courageous portrait of dedication and leadership.

Growing up in rural Minnesota, Johnson began organizing and advocating for change early, beginning with a campaign to introduce foreign languages into her high school curriculum. Pursuing a deeply felt commitment to improving the lives of others, she continued to sharpen her leadership skills throughout her life, participating in activist work in college, cofounding organizations to support women entrepreneurs and politicians, and eventually running an international education nonprofit.

A stalwart supporter, her husband gave Marlene strength and encouragement to face the challenges of the political landscape and its gender biases. Then, in 2010, he suffered a traumatic brain injury that would change both of their lives. Learning how to be a medical advocate and, eventually, facing the sorrow of Peter’s death, Marlene relied on the hard-fought resilience and belief in herself that Peter had helped her to develop.

A story of learning and leadership in politics, business, and public service, Rise to the Challenge is a moving portrayal of spirit, perseverance, and grace in the face of daunting personal challenges, supported by unwavering faith in the public good.

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Yes, you can access Rise to the Challenge by Marlene M. Johnson in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Social Sciences & Medicine Biographies. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Dedication
  5. Contents
  6. Prologue
  7. 1. Minnesota’s First Woman Lieutenant Governor
  8. 2. From Private Citizen to Public Servant
  9. 3. Becoming an Entrepreneur
  10. 4. Organizing for Political and Community Change
  11. 5. Campaigning at the Local, State, and National Levels
  12. 6. Engaging with Entrepreneurs
  13. 7. The Potential of New Opportunities
  14. 8. Traveling with the Governor
  15. 9. Defining the Role of Lieutenant Governor
  16. 10. Learning to Punt
  17. 11. Serendipity
  18. 12. A Transatlantic Life Together
  19. 13. Peter
  20. 14. New Ways to Engage
  21. 15. Ending My Time in State Government
  22. 16. New Challenges
  23. 17. Losing an Election, Leaving Politics, and Landing in Washington
  24. 18. A Time for Reflection
  25. 19. Leading NAFSA
  26. 20. Learning from the Unexpected
  27. 21. Life Changes in a Flash
  28. 22. A New Chapter in Lund
  29. 23. We Are Optimistic
  30. 24. Another Turn
  31. 25. Managing from Two Continents
  32. 26. The Final Move to Ribbingska
  33. 27. The Support of Family and Friends
  34. 28. Establishing My Life in Sweden
  35. 29. Adjustments and Routines in Peter’s Care
  36. 30. Sustaining Traditions
  37. 31. Letting Go and Making New Plans
  38. 32. Sweden’s System of Care
  39. 33. Our Final Days
  40. 34. Leaving Sweden
  41. Epilogue
  42. Acknowledgments
  43. Author Biography
  44. Plate Section