Tonette Walker
Tonette Walker | |
|---|---|
First Lady of Wisconsin | |
| In role January 3, 2011 – January 7, 2019 | |
| Governor | Scott Walker |
| Preceded by | Jessica Doyle |
| Succeeded by | Kathy Evers |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Tonette Marie Tarantino October 19, 1955 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Tonette Marie Tarantino Walker (born October 19, 1955) served as the
.Early life and family
Tonette Marie Tarantino was born on October 19, 1955, in
First Lady of Wisconsin
In her capacity as the First Lady of Wisconsin, Walker worked in partnership with various foundations and non-profit organizations to better recognize, understand, and address the effects of trauma on the lives of children and families in Wisconsin. Walker also worked regularly with
In response to the devastating
In 2011, Walker launched a monthly "Walk with Walker" event on local trails in the
During the 2012 Wisconsin recall effort, Walker frequently gave speeches[8] and delivered messages in support of her husband,[9] telling supporters not to be ruled by anger, assuring them that Republican reforms were working, and thanking them for their support.[10] She received threats during that time on her life and the lives of her husband and sons.[11][12]
In August 2012, Walker met with First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama prior to Michelle Obama's visit with the family members of the victims and those seriously injured in the shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek.[13][14]
Walker works in the development department for the American Lung Association.[15]
Personal life
Walker married her first husband when she was 23, but he died of kidney disease by the time she was 30. Five years after her first husband's death, she was at a karaoke night at Saz's State House restaurant when she first met Scott Walker, 12 years her junior.[16] She and Walker wed in 1993 and are parents to two sons, Matt and Alex.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "BRAVA Magazine>Profiles>0111 Jessica Doyle & Tonette Walker". Bravamagazine.com. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ^ "Anthony "Tony" Tarantino obituary". Journal-Sentinel. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. April 4, 2013.
- ^ "Geraldine Marie Colletti obituary". Church and Chapel. May 20, 2005.
- ^ Jordan, Mary (July 5, 2015). "Scott Walker's wife, toughened by life, is ready for fires of a campaign". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Tonette Tarantino Walker (Wisconsin)". Nga.org. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ^ "Tonette Walker Talks About Transition To State's First Lady". YouTube. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ^ "Walk With Walker". Walkwithwalkerwi.org. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ^ "Thousands Rally To Support Gov. Walker Amid Recall Fight". WISN.com. January 22, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ^ "Tonette Walker: Winner of the Margaret Thatcher Award". Rightwisconsin.com. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ^ "Waukesha Patch on Twitter: "Tonette Walker thanks crowd for thoughts, prayers and support in recall election last year."". Twitter.com. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ^ Bill Glauber. "Tonette Walker, GOP leaders rally governor's supporters". Jsonline.com. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ^ Lacey Crisp. "One-on-One with Wisconsin's first lady Tonette Walker". tmj4.com. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ^ "First Lady Tonette Walker Meets With First Lady Michelle Obama - Office of the Governor - Scott Walker". Walker.wi.gov. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ^ "Wisconsin's first lady meets with first lady Michelle Obama - FOX6Now.com". FOX6Now.com. August 23, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ^ "About First Lady Walker - First Lady of Wisconsin". Firstlady.wi.gov. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ^ Emer Hughes (November 5, 2014). "Tonette Walker, Scott's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know - Heavy.com". Heavy.com. Retrieved November 10, 2014.