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| Affiliation | Democratic |
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| Name | Diane E. Benson |
| Address |
Anchorage, Alaska , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | [Link] |
| Born |
00, 1954 |
| Died |
Still Living
(70 years) |
| Contributor | JR725 |
| Last Modifed | Barack O-blame-a
Nov 22, 2012 08:46pm |
| Tags |
Native American - Norwegian -
|
| Info | Diane E. Benson is an Alaskan politician, inspirational speaker, video production consultant, published writer and dramatist.
Diane Benson contracts in film/video production, research, and writing. Her success sharing the Elizabeth Peratrovich and Alaskan Civil Rights story is noteworthy and she is contributing to a PBS documentary on the subject. She just completed co-production of an important social video for rural Alaska. Besides a lifetime of work in multiple film/video, stage and radio programs, she is featured in a PBS special on the Alaska Pipeline – as a Teamster truck driver.
Diane ran Northern Stars Talent Agency in the 1990’s, promoting Alaska’s talent in film and commercials nationally and internationally. She received significant recognition from the Mayor, the State Legislature, and the International Committee for her success and leadership with the 1996 Arctic Winter Games held in Chugiak-Eagle River.
She is working on a Masters in Public Policy, has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing, a Bachelors degree in Theatre with a Justice Minor and Journalism emphasis, and attended the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. Diane has years of work and study in public entitlement law and state-tribal relations, and experience in journalism as a writer and lay-out artist.
Diane frequently keynotes nationally before such groups as judicial professionals regarding issues of violence and recovery, or in schools or communities facilitating discussions on race-relations, war and family, veterans, and other critical issues. Diane serves on Anchorage Chamber of Commerce’s Military Appreciation Committee, on the Healing Racism Steering Committee, was a two term President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood, Camp 87- Anchorage, and is an active member of the National Organization of Women.
Diane won the Alaska Democratic Party Congressional Primary for the U.S. House in 2006, causing a first in Alaska history when she provoked the incumbent into a live debate and successfully challenged habitual policies that prevented non-incumbents for Congress to make certain appearances. She also made history by acquiring over 40% of the vote, one of only three to do so in 33 years of opponents running for that Congressional seat.
Diane Benson is as multi-faceted as the state she lives in; driving tractor-trailers on the pipeline as a Teamster with local 959 one decade and co-producing films and videos on Alaska’s issues and history the next - and then making her own history when she ran for Congress in 2006 winning over 40% of the vote.
Diane is a lifelong Alaska resident, educated in the state, (she has an MFA) and is an accomplished writer. One of her main strengths is coalition building and organizing people as she demonstrated when she served as International – Cultural Coordinator for the 1996 Arctic Winter Games. Believing Alaskans must support Alaskans, as a small business owner Diane promoted and dispatched Alaskan talent for feature films and television jobs nationally and internationally.
Diane is committed to civic duty – actively serving with such organizations as the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Military Committee, Alaska Native Sisterhood, and Healing Racism in Anchorage Steering Committee, to name a few. She is also a long time dog musher – an activity she enjoyed many years with her son.
Diane is the mother of Sgt Latseen Benson who served in the Iraq war until he was severely wounded by a road-side bomb. The months she spent at Walter Reed Army Medical with her son and visiting with other injured troops in Washington, D.C. motivated her to run for Congressional office.
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