Faith Whittlesey facts for kids
Faith Amy Whittlesey (born February 21, 1939 – died May 21, 2018) was an American politician and important staff member in the White House during President Ronald Reagan's time. She was known for helping to explain President Reagan's ideas and policies to many people across the U.S. She also helped bring together different religious groups, like evangelical and Catholic communities, who cared about family values and cultural issues. These groups became a big part of President Reagan's supporters in the 1980s.
Faith Whittlesey also worked to share information about President Reagan's policies in Central America, especially his efforts against communism in that region. She strongly supported strengthening the U.S. military and the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which was a plan for missile defense.
She served twice as the United States Ambassador to Switzerland for almost five years in total. She also worked for two years as an Assistant to the President for Public Liaison in the White House, helping the President connect with the public.
Quick facts for kids
Faith Whittlesey
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| United States Ambassador to Switzerland | |
| In office May 31, 1985 – June 14, 1988 |
|
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | John Davis Lodge |
| Succeeded by | Philip D. Winn |
| In office October 23, 1981 – February 28, 1983 |
|
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Richard D. Vine |
| Succeeded by | John Davis Lodge |
| Director of the Office of Public Liaison | |
| In office March 3, 1983 – March 19, 1985 |
|
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Liddy Dole |
| Succeeded by | Linda Chavez |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 166th district |
|
| In office 1973–1976 |
|
| Preceded by | George Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Freind |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Faith Amy Ryan
February 21, 1939 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | May 21, 2018 (aged 79) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 1964) Republican (from 1964) |
| Spouse | Roger Whittlesey (1967–1974) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Wells College (BA) University of Pennsylvania (LLB) |
Contents
Early Life and Education
Faith Amy Ryan was born in 1939 in Jersey City, New Jersey. She grew up in Williamsville, New York. Her family attended the Methodist Church, and she was raised as a Methodist. Later in her life, in 2000, she became a Roman Catholic.
She earned a full scholarship to attend Wells College in New York, where she graduated in 1960. She then received another full scholarship to study law at the University of Pennsylvania.
Political Career
While studying law, Faith Whittlesey worked as a substitute teacher in Philadelphia. She became a lawyer in Pennsylvania in 1964.
Pennsylvania State Representative
In 1972, she was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. This meant she helped make laws for the state of Pennsylvania. She was reelected in 1974. In 1975, she was elected to the Delaware County Board of Commissioners, which is like a local government council, and served there for several years.
U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland
Faith Whittlesey served as the United States Ambassador to Switzerland from 1981 to 1983. An ambassador is a country's official representative in another country. In this role, she helped solve a disagreement between the U.S. and Switzerland about banking rules. Her work led to an agreement that changed the strict tradition of Swiss banking secrecy.
White House Liaison Office
In 1983, Faith Whittlesey became the Assistant to the President for Public Liaison. In this job, she helped President Reagan connect with different groups of people across the country. She worked to make sure that conservative religious groups felt heard and included in national policy decisions. She was seen as a strong supporter of these groups within the White House.
Her office worked to reach out to many different people, including labor leaders and Jewish communities. She believed strongly in explaining President Reagan's policies to the public.
Central America Outreach
Faith Whittlesey spent a lot of her time helping to explain President Reagan's policies in Central America. She focused on informing people about his efforts against communism, especially regarding the "Contras" in Nicaragua. She created a White House group to help people understand these policies. This group worked with various organizations to share information about the situation.
She believed her group's work was open and honest, aiming to help people understand the truth about the policies.
Return to Switzerland
After her time in the White House, Faith Whittlesey returned to Switzerland for a second term as U.S. Ambassador in 1985. She resigned from this position in 1988.
Later Career
After leaving her government roles, Faith Whittlesey joined a law firm. She also became the president of the American Swiss Foundation, which promotes good relations between the U.S. and Switzerland.
In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed her to be part of the U.S. team for a United Nations Conference on the illegal trade of small weapons.
She also started her own consulting firm and served on the boards of several companies, including Nestle and Schindler Elevator Corporation. She was also a board member for Christian Freedom International, an organization that helps Christians who are facing difficulties around the world.
Personal Life
In 1963, Faith Amy Ryan married Roger Weaver Whittlesey. They had three children and ten grandchildren. Her husband passed away in 1974. Their son Henry died in 2012.
Faith Whittlesey was a keen gardener, and a new type of rose was even named "Faith Whittlesey" after her. She was also a talented classical pianist.
Death
Faith Whittlesey passed away in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2018, at the age of 79, after battling cancer.
Images for kids
-
Faith Whittlesey in an official portrait.
-
Faith Whittlesey with President Ronald Reagan.
