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From GeorgiaDailyDigest.com Georgia's First Lady Mary Perdue: "It's such an honor to be able to make a positive impact in the lives of children." Georgia's First Lady Mary Perdue discusses the status of children in Georgia and her fondest memories of the Christmas holidays. (Editor's Note: This interview may be reproduced for distribution with credit given to GeorgiaDailyDigest.com.) GDD: What have been your biggest challenges as Georgia's first lady and specifically how has the job been different from what you imagined prior to the election? Mary Perdue: I really had no idea what kind of expectations came with being First Lady. Sometimes it can be challenging to stay focused on our vision for the state with so many demands on our time, but it's been exciting to take this opportunity to talk about things I really care about. I really enjoyed making the job my own. It is such an honor to be able to make a positive impact in the lives of children. Each Georgian has the ability to touch a life, and I have been blessed with the chance to affect many lives. GDD: Your work as first lady has focused extensively on children's issues, particularly foster care. How would you describe Georgia's status on children's issues? Mary Perdue: We're moving in the right direction and have definitely made great progress. I know we are not 100 percent where we want to be, but I understand it's like turning an ocean liner -- it takes time. We have leadership in the right place which will make a big difference in how we care for children. My focus as First Lady has been the Our Children Campaign -- an effort designed to raise awareness about the needs of abused and neglected children in our state. I have been so encouraged to see an increase in community involvement. It is a great partnership with our state system. GDD: From a policy perspective, if you could change anything about foster care, what would you change? Mary Perdue: I would really like to see more foster parents who are committed to the job and to the children of this state in foster care. One project of my Children's Cabinet is the Foster Family Foundation whose mission will be to recruit, train and retain foster parents. Other states have had success with this model, and we're anxious to see how implementation in Georgia will improve the lives of Georgia's foster children. GDD: Recently, the Friends of the Mansion came under political attack. Have you been able to become blasé about the meanness of politics or does it still sting when directed at you? Mary Perdue: Well, unfounded criticism is never easy to hear. But we knew we were doing the right thing in trying to restore the valuable collection of the mansion for future generations to enjoy. The mansion first belongs to the people of Georgia. GDD: Are you active in voicing your opinion or influencing state policies with the Governor or do you leave that to the Governor's staff and others? Has there been an instance when you really let the Governor know how you felt about a policy? Care to share it with us? Mary Perdue: When the Foster Parents Bill of Rights and the Child Protection legislation were both in their formative stages, we had conversations about what the legislation might look like. Since these issues are near and dear to my heart, the Governor always respects my opinions on these matters. However, for general policy issues I tend to leave those matters to him. GDD: We just celebrated Thanksgiving. What did you give thanks for? What should Georgia be thankful for? Mary Perdue: I am very thankful for my health and family. I have a loving husband, a strong marriage, wonderful children and grandchildren. We have been blessed with so much. I am also thankful for the position we are in to change people's lives for the better. The State of Georgia also has much to be thankful for because we are a great state with great people. We should be thankful that we have the resources to care for those who lost so much during recent natural disasters. Georgia is moving in the right direction on many fronts, and we should all be thankful for these advances. GDD: We're guessing 2006 will be a big year in the Perdue household. Are you looking forward to an election year or would you prefer to skip to 2007? Mary Perdue: Although it means 2006 will be a very busy year indeed, I am looking forward to it. Election year means that we have the opportunity to travel our state catching up with old friends and supporters and meeting new ones. I really enjoy getting the chance to talk to people and find out about their lives, aspirations, and hopes and dreams for our state's future. GDD: What are your fondest memories of holiday times with your family? How does the Perdue family celebrate the holidays? Mary Perdue: I love the holidays, and especially when our children were little and now that we have grandchildren. To kids, Christmas is full of wonder, and it's so special to be around that. When our children were little, we all took turns opening gifts of Christmas morning. The kids would save their stockings for last. We always got the whole family together on Christmas day for a huge feast with lots of food. There are lots of great cooks in the Perdue family. GDD: What is your philosophy on raising a family? Mary Perdue: The marriage relationship is the foundation, and children learn from the model you provide. You need to always keep in mind that you are raising adults, even when they are young children, and you need to instill values in them from the beginning. Children need to learn to respect authority which begins at home, and they need to understand that you love them unconditionally -- they may do things that upset you, but it won't change your love for them. Instilling values doesn't happen overnight -- it takes persistence and love. GDD: What are your favorite things to do with the Governor when you have "time off"? Mary Perdue: We love to take the time to just sit and talk, having conversation. We also love to get away from the busy pace of the city when we can by going out to the lake or the creek. Being outdoors, by the water, is so relaxing to us.
GDD: In what ways have you been a positive ambassador for Georgia as you have accompanied the Governor on several mission trips? Mary Perdue: I get to interact with people and organizations that the Governor does not necessarily see when we visit those countries -- children's hospitals, schools, and cultural venues. It is such a privilege to see this side, the human side, and to hear the personal stories of people in these countries. I get to be the face of Georgia as I visit these people and places and hopefully extend the warmth of the people of our state. |
