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| Affiliation | Democratic |
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2002-01-01 |
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| Name | Betty Castor |
| Address |
Tampa, Florida , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | [Link] |
| Born |
May 11, 1941
(83 years)
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| Contributor | Classical Liberal |
| Last Modifed | RBH
Jan 22, 2017 04:45pm |
| Tags |
Lutheran -
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| Info | At just 23, as a teacher in East Africa, Betty Castor helped to lead two-dozen young girls from three continents to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Why? Because, she believed, life should be a journey of challenges. She told young women that they could do anything they set out to do and that their efforts would enable them to help others reach their dreams.
In the years since, Betty has taken on many public and private sector challenges ? and she has successfully climbed more than one mountain.
She has held many prominent positions, most recently as President and CEO of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Betty served the people of Florida for over three decades beginning with her service on the Hillsborough County Commission.
Betty was the first woman to serve as President Pro Tempore of the Florida State Senate. Her tenure as Florida Commissioner of Education is highlighted with many initiatives, particularly the public/private partnerships that engaged the business community in our public schools.
As a member of the Florida cabinet, Betty championed Florida?s environment and strongly opposed efforts to permit offshore oil drilling.
As Education Commissioner, Betty was an advocate of Florida?s Universities. As a legislator, she created the ?Centers of Excellence Program? in key academic areas. She initiated the well known ?tech prep? program for community colleges to ensure that Florida industries had a qualified and prepared workforce.
In 1993, Betty became the President of the University of South Florida, only the second woman ever to head a State University. Betty?s focus on research led to the university?s designation as a Research 1 Institution. She oversaw the expansion of the Medical Center and regional campus development. Betty helped to create an endowment of over $220 million.
Betty has always understood the synergy between excellence in education and prosperity in business. She helped initiate the I-4 High technology Council to attract new industry; she participated in the Florida Council of 100 Business/Higher Education Partnership; created a relationship between the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Education and Industry Coalition to enhance technology education; and successfully supported efforts to establish ?Linkage Institutes? between Florida Universities and Community Colleges and those in other countries to foster economic development initiatives.
Betty?s professional leadership activities range from membership on the Florida Board of Bank of America to the national board of the March of Dimes to the Executive Board of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.
Her extensive experience at the local and state level and nationally in key policy-creating positions makes her uniquely qualified to represent Florida in the United States Senate. Her career is one of excellence and firsts. She is the only Democratic candidate who has ever run and won a statewide election.
Betty is married to Sam Bell III, a former state legislator. They have six children.
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