Donna Christensen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donna Christensen
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| Chair of the Virgin Islands Democratic Party | |
| In office August 6, 2016 – August 4, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Cecil Benjamin |
| Succeeded by | Cecil Benjamin |
| Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the U.S. Virgin Islands's at-large district |
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| In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Victor O. Frazer |
| Succeeded by | Stacey Plaskett |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Donna Marie Christian
September 19, 1945 Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Chris Christensen
(m. 1998) |
| Education | St. Mary's College, Indiana (BS) George Washington University (MD) |
Donna Marie Christian-Christensen (born September 19, 1945) is an American doctor and politician. She was a Delegate for the United States Virgin Islands in the United States House of Representatives. She served from 1997 to 2015.
As a member of the Democratic Party, Christensen made history. She was the first woman to be nominated by her party for governor in the Virgin Islands. She was also the first woman to represent the territory in the U.S. Congress.
Contents
About Donna Christensen
Her Early Life and Education
Donna Christian was born in Teaneck, New Jersey. Her father, Almeric Christian, was a judge in the Virgin Islands Federal District Court.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from St. Mary's College in Indiana in 1966. Then, she went to George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. She received her medical degree (M.D.) in 1970. She completed her medical training in San Francisco and at Howard University Medical Center.
Her Career as a Doctor
Donna Christian-Christensen worked as a doctor for many years. She started in the emergency room and later worked in the maternity ward. She became the medical director for the St. Croix Hospital in St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
In 1993 and 1994, she was the Acting Commissioner of Health for the Virgin Islands. She also had her own private medical practice until 1996.
Getting Involved in Politics
Donna Christian-Christensen was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions from 1994 to 2012. These conventions are where the Democratic Party chooses its presidential candidate. She also served on the Status Commission and the Board of Education for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
She was active in community groups in the Virgin Islands. She worked to protect St. Croix from too much development. She also helped improve the quality of local judicial appointments.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Donna Christian-Christensen first ran for the U.S. Virgin Islands delegate position in 1994 but did not win. In 1996, she was elected as a Democrat to the House of Representatives. She served from January 3, 1997, to January 3, 2015.
As a delegate, she supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This law aimed to make healthcare more available to Americans. She said that presidents had tried to pass such a law for many years.
Donna Christian-Christensen was a member of important groups in Congress. These included the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She was also the first female doctor to win a congressional election. She even appeared on a TV show called The Colbert Report in a segment about her district.
Her Elections
2008 Election
In 2008, she appeared in a TV ad supporting the governor of Puerto Rico, Aníbal Acevedo Vilá. He was running for re-election. He did not win his re-election bid.
2010 Election
Christian-Christensen won her re-election campaign in 2010. She received 71.22% of the votes.
2012 Election
In 2012, Christian-Christensen won her re-election again. She received 60.05% of the votes.
2014 Election
In 2014, Christian-Christensen decided not to run for her congressional seat again. Instead, she ran for Governor of the United States Virgin Islands. She lost to Kenneth Mapp in a runoff election.
Her Committee Work
While in Congress, Donna Christian-Christensen served on the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This committee deals with many important topics like energy, healthcare, and technology. She was also part of two subcommittees:
- Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
- Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Her Caucus Memberships
She was also a member of several caucuses. Caucuses are groups of lawmakers who share common interests.
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus
- International Conservation Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
Honors and Recognitions
On March 23, 2009, Delegate Christensen became the Ship Sponsor for a new Coast Guard ship. It was called the USCGC Reef Shark. This happened during the ship's special ceremony in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In July 2023, the Legislature of the Virgin Islands honored Christensen. They passed a bill to rename the Charles Harwood Memorial Complex on St. Croix after her. This was to recognize her hard work and public service.
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- Physicians in the United States Congress
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
