November 1, 2007

Ann Romney visits Almaden

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Staff Writer

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s wife Ann visited the Almaden home of Richard and Nan Hunter last Friday.

“It is my pleasure to introduce Ann Romney this evening,” said Nan Hunter, at right. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Attended by more than a 100 Bay Area supporters, she charmed with her persona and knowledge of the issues.

“It is my pleasure to introduce Ann Romney this evening,” said Nan Hunter. “Ann Romney places primary importance on her role as a wife, a mother and a grandmother. She and Gov. Mitt Romney have been married for 38 years, and are the parents of five children and 10 grandchildren. Please give a warm welcome to the next first lady of the United States, Ann Romney.”

Her visit to the Bay Area started with the annual California Conference on Women in Long Beach organized and moderated by Maria Shriver. One of the highlights of the symposium, attended by over 14,000 women, was Shriver’s interviews with the wives of presidential candidates: Elizabeth Edwards, Cindy McCain, Michelle Obama, Ann Romney and Jeri Thompson.

Romney talked about meeting her future husband at Brigham Young University and parenting five boys. Her husband was elected governor of Massachusetts in 2002. That same year he received national recognition for his role in successfully turning around the Winter Olympics surrounded in controversy and facing a financial crisis.

Romney also discussed her 1998 diagnosis with multiple sclerosis [MS]. She volunteered much of her time to raise awareness of the disease as a board member of the New England chapter of the MS Society and recently was awarded the Society’s Inspiration Award.

As a member of the board of the Massachusetts Bay United Way, Romney implemented and supported programs to serve at-risk youth and has served on their executive committee and Community Impact Committee. One of her goals is to improve the welfare of children throughout the world.

She’s involved with Right To Play, an international nonprofit organization that uses sport and play as a developmental tool for children in the most disadvantaged areas of the world. She has served in the annual Scholastic Reading event, Partners for Youth with Disabilities, the American Red Cross, was past president of Best Friends and the Perkins School for the Blind.

As Massachusetts’ first lady, she also served as a board member of the Children’s Trust Fund and many others. In recognition of her charitable efforts, she received the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from Operation Kids.

A sports enthusiast and an avid equestrian, Romney has received competitive recognition in dressage events nationwide, including winning the 2006 gold medal and 2005 silver medal at the grand prix level from the United States Dressage Federation. But she also lends her time and leadership to equine therapy programs for physically challenged children.

“The Romneys are very impressive,” said Diane Blake. “I heard Mitt Romney speak and he is very knowledgeable and experienced. He knows the business of a country. And they are really a team.”

“And Ann is great. She’s a super hero—any woman who raised five sons. He has my vote!” added Blake.
Some at the event even compared Romney to Jack Kennedy.

“It reminds you of when electing a Catholic was a big deal,” said Saratoga resident Mark Murillo. “Now being a Mormon is a non-issue.”