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 represented the United States Virgin Islands in the United States House of Representatives as a non-voting Delegate. She served from 1997 to 2015.
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 went to St. Mary's College in Indiana. There, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. Later, she studied medicine at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She became a medical doctor (M.D.) in 1970.
Her Career as a Doctor and Public Servant
After medical school, Donna Christian-Christensen worked as a doctor. She helped patients in the emergency room and later in the maternity ward. She also became the medical director for the St. Croix Hospital in St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
From 1993 to 1994, she was the Acting Commissioner of Health for the Virgin Islands. This meant she helped lead health services for the islands. She also had her own private medical practice until 1996.
Donna Christian-Christensen was also involved in her community. She worked to protect St. Croix from too much building. She also helped improve how judges were chosen in the Virgin Islands.
Representing the Virgin Islands
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Donna Christian-Christensen ran for the position of Delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1994. She did not win that first time. However, she ran again in 1996 and was elected as a Democrat. She served in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 3, 1997, to January 3, 2015.
As a Delegate, she represented the people of the Virgin Islands in Congress. A Delegate is a special kind of representative. They can speak and vote in committees, but they cannot vote on the final passage of laws in the full House.
Important Work in Congress
Donna Christian-Christensen supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This law aimed to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for many Americans. She believed it was a big step forward for the country.
She was also a member of important groups in Congress. These included the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. These groups bring together lawmakers who share similar goals and interests.
A cool fact about Donna Christian-Christensen is that she was the first female doctor to be elected to the U.S. Congress!
Her Elections
Donna Christian-Christensen won several elections to keep her seat as Delegate.
- In 2010, she won her re-election with a large number of votes (71.22%).
- In 2012, she won again with 60.05% of the vote.
In 2014, she decided not to run for her congressional seat again. Instead, she ran for Governor of the United States Virgin Islands. She lost this election to Kenneth Mapp.
Committees and Caucuses
While in Congress, Donna Christian-Christensen worked on important committees.
- Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
- Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
She was also part of several caucuses, which are groups of lawmakers who work together on specific issues.
- 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, Donna Christensen was honored at a special event. She became the Ship Sponsor for a new U.S. Coast Guard ship. The ship was named USCGC Reef Shark. This ceremony took place in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- Physicians in the United States Congress
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
