Michelle Nunn
Michelle Nunn | |
---|---|
Personal details | |
Born | Mary Michelle Nunn November 16, 1966 Macon, Georgia, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
Ron Martin Jr. (m. 2001) |
Children | 2 |
Parent |
|
Education | |
Mary Michelle Nunn
Early life and early education
Michelle Nunn is the daughter of
Nunn was born in Macon, Georgia,[8] and initially lived in nearby Perry, Georgia, where her grandfather had been mayor and where the family had a 2,400-acre (970 ha; 3.8 sq mi) farm.[9][10][11] When she was six, the family moved to Bethesda, Maryland,[10] and then lived in the Washington, D.C. area in conjunction with her father's election to national office.[12][13][14] She credits her mother for having "really safeguarded a very normal and private environment for us."[5] She began volunteering in junior high school.[14] She went to the all-girls, private National Cathedral School in Washington,[10] where she played on the basketball team[15] and graduated in 1985.[16] She credits the massive charity rock concert Live Aid in July 1985, including the performance of U2 at it, with inspiring a belief in her that collective action could help change the world and that "Seeing this activism prompted me to imagine how I could be a part of creating change."[16]
She attended the University of Virginia, majoring in history[14] with a minor in religious studies, and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.[17] She studied at the University of Oxford[17] during 1987. She also studied for four months in India[5] during 1989. She graduated from the University of Virginia in 1989.[5]
Hands On Atlanta, City Cares of America
After college, Nunn applied to join the Peace Corps and considered going to law school, but instead opted to join Hands On Atlanta.[18][19] Founded in 1989 by twelve young professionals,[19] Hands On Atlanta was a non-profit dedicated to engaging volunteers, especially young businesspeople who would sign up for single days of service on a monthly basis.[20][21] Rapidly expanding and needing someone to help manage their efforts, they hired Nunn on a part-time basis as their executive director and only paid staffer (despite the title, she later described the position at first as "a glorified internship").[14][19]
In May 1990, Nunn became full-time executive director, and by September 1990, Hands On Atlanta was coordinating 700 volunteers.[22] Nunn later said, "I had a real passion for community service and volunteerism, so I had a real passion for the work."[18] She also credited her upbringing, saying in 1992, "My father has influenced me through example. His own work in the public sphere, I'm sure, played a large part in my work in community service."[13] Nunn was an early practitioner in garnering corporate backing for such ventures.[14] Over the next twenty years, volunteers for Hands On Atlanta put in more than 6 million hours, and its founders credited Nunn with a significant role in helping it grow.[19]
Similar organizations developed in other cities, and in 1992 they formed a national group under the name City Cares.[20] By 1995, the concept of appealing to young working people had proven successful, and Hands On Atlanta had a budget of $1 million, a paid staff of 17, and over 11,000 volunteers on its mailing list, 7,500 of whom participated in a Hands On Atlanta Day.[21] At the end of 1998, City Cares of America relocated its headquarters from New York to Atlanta, and Nunn became interim executive director for it, while continuing on as executive director of Hands on Atlanta.[23] (She was sometimes referred to in the press without the 'interim' designation.[24]) Subsequently, Nunn returned to focusing on Hands On Atlanta,[25] and staged a successful, multimillion-dollar capital campaign for a new headquarters building in that city.[14]
Further education, marriage and family, potential 2004 U.S. Senate run
Nunn was a
At a beach ceremony on
Nunn considered a run in the
HandsOn Network, Points of Light
In late 2003, Nunn left Hands On Atlanta to become president of City Cares.
In 2006, Nunn was named to the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.[31] Later in 2006, she was the editor of Be The Change! Change the World. Change Yourself., a collection of stories from hundreds of volunteers.[32] It contained forewords from George H.W. Bush and Tom Brokaw and was republished in 2012.[33]
In 2007, the Points of Light Foundation began talks with the HandsOn Network to join forces through a merger to create one national organization with local affiliates focused on volunteering and service. They formally combined forces on August 11, 2007, to become the Points of Light and Hands On Network (later Points of Light Institute and later still just Points of Light). Nunn presided over the merger, saying of its motivation, "We both could have continued along the route we were on, growing incrementally, but I believe neither of us would have achieved the kind of exponential change we wanted."[34] She also ensured that the combined operation had its main offices in Atlanta.[14] During the three years following the merger, the staff dropped from 175 to 80 employees, due partly to eliminating duplicate positions and partly to the organization having lost its previous $10 million congressional earmark.[35] During this time, Nunn's compensation grew from $120,000 to $250,000, which she later said was still less than that of her predecessor's $325,000.[35] The layoffs and her pay would become issues during her 2014 Senate campaign.[35]
As CEO of Points of Light, Nunn formed good relations with the Bush family, as the Points of Light Foundation had derived from President George H. W. Bush and his "thousand points of light" philosophy.[36] Nunn's trip to Texas to meet with George H. W. Bush had been a key element in forming the merger. Neil Bush, the chair of Points of Light, characterized Nunn as "a fabulous leader".[14] Points of Light became the largest organization in the U.S. purposed towards volunteer service.[37] By 2009, it had a budget of $39 million and its associated HandsOn Network affiliates had a collective budget of $180 million.[19] In 2011, Points of Light had revenues of $55 million and had over 4 million volunteers mobilized under it.[14] Nunn's salary was over $300,000.[14]
One of Points of Light's activities was to validate charities for
2014 U.S. Senate run
When Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss from Georgia announced in January 2013 that he would retire after two terms, his seat—which had once been held by her father—became open.[40] Though she was little known to voters,[41] Democrats embraced the hope that Nunn, with her executive experience as well as family name, could make their party once again competitive in-state.[37] Democrats also hoped the demographics of the state were moving in their favor.[42]
On July 22, 2013, Nunn declared herself a candidate for U.S. Senate.[43] (She was granted a leave of absence from her position with Points of Light.[44]) She said: "Our opportunity is to define ourselves.... I think people are really tired of the mudslinging and the silliness [contemporary politics]."[43] Commenting on her public image, The New York Times said, "At 47, the cautious and cerebral Ms. Nunn is every bit her father's daughter, down to her owlish glasses and centrist message about curing dysfunction in Washington."[10] She raised more funds during the balance of 2013 and into 2014 than any Republican in the race.[45][46][47] The contest garnered national interest since Democratic control of the Senate might depend upon it.[15][48]
On May 20, 2014, Nunn won the Democratic primary for the Senate seat with 75 percent of the vote.
Nunn's campaign was hurt by a leaked campaign memo from December 2013 which made frank recommendations on strategy for Nunn's path to victory in Georgia.[51][52][53] It said that likely attack lines against Nunn would include that she was "too liberal" and "not a 'real' Georgian" and that she should make appeals to specific groups for support and funds, including Jews, Asian Americans, and members of the LGBTQ community.[52][53] In turn, Perdue was hurt during the campaign by revelations that he had in the past been an enthusiastic supporter of outsourcing.[42]
Nunn's policy positions during the campaign emphasized her attempt to portray a moderate image and distance herself from the unpopular
Nunn's
In the November 4, 2014 general election, Nunn lost to Perdue by a 53–to–45 percent margin.
Her performance in the campaign impressed political observers enough that they felt Nunn could try for another run at elective office in the state if she desired to do so.[65] Following the election, she returned to Points of Light in early 2015 as a member of its board of directors but not as its CEO.[68][69]
CARE USA
In April 2015,
With CARE, Nunn has sought to leverage the skills and concerns of women leaders in the Atlanta area – which besides CARE is also home to the
In 2018, Nunn became a member of the
Awards and honors
Nunn was chosen in 2006 as one of the 100 most influential Georgians by Georgia Trend.[80] In 2010, she received a Global Ambassador of Youth Award from the World Leadership Awards for her work with volunteer organizations.[41] In 2012, Nunn was named for the sixth straight time to The NonProfit Times' annual Power & Influence Top 50 list of the most influential nonprofit executives.[81] In naming her in 2011, NonProfit Times described Nunn thusly: "The Pied Piper of national service, she has a unique ability to organize disparate people and organizations into a coalition that elected officials are compelled to embrace."[82]
Nunn, along with her father, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Oglethorpe University in 2006.[83] In 2010, she received an honorary Doctor of Public Service from Wesleyan College.[84]
In 2022 Nunn was the recipient of the Academy of International Business (AIB) International Executive of the Year Award.[85]
References
- ^ a b c Salmon, Stephanie (July 16, 2008). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Sam Nunn". USA Today.
- ^ Phillip, Abby D.; Good, Chris. "Georgia Senate Race 2014: ABC News' '14 For 14'". ABC News. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
- ^ "Rep. Sam Nunn ... Profile of Demo nominee for Senate". Rome News-Tribune. Associated Press. August 30, 1972. p. 4B.
- The Washington Monthly.
- ^ The Atlanta Constitution. p. G1.
- ^ "Sam Nunn: Biography". The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
- ^ a b Cassidy, Christina A. (July 1, 2014). "Faith offers valuable connection for Southern Dems". Sidney Daily News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014.
- ^ "About Michelle Nunn". michellenunn.com. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ISBN 978-1-933512-00-6.
- ^ a b c d e Stolberg, Sheryl Gay (January 25, 2014). "Old Democratic Name (Nunn) Stakes Bid on Shifting Georgia". The New York Times. p. A1.
- ^ Savage, Randall (July 25, 2013). "Michelle Nunn Greets Macon Lunch Crowd". WMAZ-TV. Archived from the original on July 26, 2013.
- ^ "GOOD Q&A: Michelle Nunn". Good Worldwide. June 27, 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
- ^ The Atlanta Constitution. p. D3.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Malloy, Daniel; Bluestein, Greg (May 28, 2013). "Newcomer Nunn built service career". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. A1.
- ^ a b c d Newton-Small, Jay (March 6, 2014). "Democrats' Georgia Reach". Time.
- ^ a b Wooten, Kristi York (May 2018). "U2 in Atlanta: An oral history of the band and the city's shared journey". Atlanta.
- ^ a b c d "Michelle Nunn". Points of Light. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- ^ a b Johnston, Lori. "Michelle Nunn: Hands on Atlanta". Divine Caroline. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Quinn, Christopher (October 12, 2009). "Hands On founders battled 'greed is good' philosophy". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ a b c d Ellis, Susan J. "Historical Context of the Merger Between POL and HON". Energize, Inc. Retrieved March 18, 2012. Included linked-to chart from the third edition of the Ellis–Noyes book.
- ^ a b Sack, Kevin (November 25, 1995). "Making Volunteerism Easier For Busy Workers of Today". The New York Times.
- The Atlanta Constitution. p. B1.
- ^ "City Cares group moves to Atlanta". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 16, 1999. p. B2.
- ^ Fritz, Mark (December 31, 1998). "Angling to Reel in Volunteers". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b c d Pettys, Dick (October 25, 2003). "Nunn's daughter won't make bid for Miller's seat". Athens Banner-Herald. Associated Press.
- Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance. Archived from the originalon July 26, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ "Classnotes" (PDF). Harvard Kennedy School Magazine. Winter 2011. p. 22.
- The Macon Telegraph. June 24, 2001. p. 5F.
- ^ Galloway, Jim (July 23, 2014). "The Michelle Nunn diet: Grit, but no red meat". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ "Hands On Atlanta's Nunn leaving". Atlanta Business Chronicle. September 12, 2003.
- PRNewswire. February 14, 2006.
- ^ "Volunteering guru's view: Yes, you can effect change". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. December 31, 2006. p. MS1.
- ISBN 1933512008.
- ^ Strom, Stephanie (November 11, 2007). "Charities Trying Mergers to Improve Bottom Line". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c d Raju, Manu (May 20, 2014). "Michelle Nunn unscathed in Senate run – for now". Politico.
- ^ Galloway, Jim (May 15, 2013). "Like father, like daughter: Decoding Michelle Nunn's Senate deliberations". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ a b Joseph, Cameron (May 24, 2013). "Michelle Nunn actively preparing for a Senate campaign in Georgia". The Hill.
- ^ Malloy, Daniel (July 28, 2014). "Leaked doc: Michelle Nunn non-profit gave grant to Hamas-tied group". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ PolitiFact.com. August 8, 2014.
- ^ Joseph, Cameron (January 25, 2013). "Report: Sen. Saxby Chambliss to retire". The Hill.
- ^ a b Galloway, Jim (May 8, 2013). "Michelle Nunn outperformed John Barrow in Dem poll". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ a b c d e Stanford, Duane (November 6, 2014). "Democrats' Dreams Put on Hold by Nunn's Defeat". Bloomberg News.
- ^ a b c d e Galloway, Jim (July 22, 2013). "Michelle Nunn declares herself a U.S. Senate candidate". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ "Statement from Board Chair Neil Bush on the Leadership Transition at Points of Light" (Press release). Points of Light. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ Crawford, Tom (October 21, 2013). "Some interesting numbers might shake up the races". The Alma Times.
- ^ Galloway, Jim (January 5, 2014). "Michelle Nunn hauls in $1.6 million in Senate bid". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ Sullivan, Sean (April 14, 2014). "Michelle Nunn raises $2.4 million in first quarter". The Washington Post.
- ^ a b c "With GOP Runoff Over, Perdue and Nunn Face Off". ABC News. Associated Press. July 23, 2014.
- ^ "2014 Georgia Senate Primaries Results". Politico. May 21, 2014.
- ^ Hohmann, James (July 23, 2014). "Perdue wins Georgia Senate runoff". Politico.
- ^ Johnson, Eliana (July 28, 2014). "Michelle Nunn's Campaign Plan". National Review.
- ^ a b Hohmann, James (July 28, 2014). "The Michelle Nunn memos: 10 key passages". Politico.
- ^ a b Strauss, Daniel (July 28, 2014). "Leaked Nunn Docs: Court Black Voters And Avoid Looking 'Too Liberal' To Win". Talking Points Memo.
- ^ Rothenberg, Stuart (May 19, 2014). "The Long Lost Tale of Phil Maloof". Roll Call.
- ^ "Ga. Dem Senate hopeful Nunn won't say whether she would have backed ObamaCare". Fox News. Associated Press. May 20, 2014.
- ^ Galloway, Jim (October 24, 2013). "Michelle Nunn calls for delay of Obamacare mandate". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ a b Itkowitz, Colby (September 3, 2014). "Former Sen. Sam Nunn tells Georgia voters Michelle Nunn would be his ideological heir". The Washington Post.
- ^ Joseph, Cameron (August 26, 2013). "EMILY'S List endorses Michelle Nunn for Georgia Senate seat". The Hill.
- ^ Trygstad, Kyle (April 17, 2014). "Michelle Nunn Hits Bipartisan Tone in Georgia Senate Stump Speech". Roll Call.
- ^ Camia, Catalina (January 6, 2014). "Michelle Nunn gets donation from Lugar PAC". USA Today.
- ^ Geary, Lori (August 14, 2014). "Zell Miller releases ad throwing support to Michelle Nunn". WSB-TV.
- ^ McWhirter, Cameron (June 13, 2014). "George H.W. Bush Doesn't Back Michelle Nunn in Georgia Race". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ O'Keefe, Ed (October 20, 2014). "George H.W. Bush unhappy with Michelle Nunn's new TV ad". The Washington Post.
- ^ Galloway, Jim (September 16, 2014). "Neil Bush denounces 'shameful' claims linking Michelle Nunn to 'terrorists'". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ a b Trygstad, Kyle (December 8, 2014). "What's Next for Michelle Nunn?". Roll Call.
- ^ Wheaton, Sarah (November 4, 2014). "David Perdue beats Michelle Nunn to avoid Georgia Senate runoff". Politico.
- ^ Stanglin, Doug (November 5, 2014). "Obama, Congress prepare for new reality after GOP sweep". USA Today.
- ^ Stiffman, Eden (February 17, 2015). "Points of Light's New CEO Plans to Expand Reach Through Technology". The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
- ^ "Our Leadership: Board Members". Points of Light. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
- ^ Galloway, Jim (April 20, 2015). "Michelle Nunn named as head of Atlanta-based CARE". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- CARE. April 19, 2015.
- ^ a b Poole, Sheila (April 20, 2015). "Michelle Nunn brings power name, depth of leadership skills to CARE". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ Lublin, Joann S.; McWhirter, Cameron (April 19, 2015). "Michelle Nunn to Head CARE USA". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Saporta, Maria (January 25, 2016). "Michelle Nunn Pushing For Humanitarian Movement". Atlanta: WABE-TV.
- ^ Martin, Jeff (October 1, 2015). "CARE CEO Michelle Nunn: More resources needed for refugees". Athens Banner-Herald. Associated Press.
- ^ a b Staihar, Janet (May 24, 2018). "Fighting Abuse Wherever It Happens". The Georgetown Dish.
- ^ "Michelle Nunn". Inter-American Dialogue. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- ^ Clark, Chris (October 24, 2020). "Working to support this important election". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ Luxner, Larry (May 12, 2021). "Celebrities, politicians to mark 75th anniversary of the 'CARE Package'". The Washington Diplomat.
- ^ Grillo, Jerry (January 2006). "The 100 Most Influential Georgians". Georgia Trend. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- HandsOn Network. Archived from the originalon December 3, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- ^ "The Nonprofit Times Power & Influence Top 50" (PDF). The NonProfit Times. August 1, 2011. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 12, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ "Honorary Degrees Awarded by Oglethorpe University". Oglethorpe University. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
- ^ "Wesleyan College Graduates 130 at 2010 Commencement". Points of Light. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
- ^ "International Executive of the Year Award". Academy of International Business (AIB). Retrieved 2024-01-10.
External links
- Michelle Nunn at Curlie
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Blog entries at Points of Light
- Blog entries at The Huffington Post
- Points of Light lecture, Michelle Nunn, Chautauqua Institution, July 9, 2012