Karen Shepherd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karen Shepherd
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Utah's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Wayne Owens |
| Succeeded by | Enid Greene |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 5, 1940 Silver City, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Vincent Shepherd |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Utah Brigham Young University |
Karen Rae Shepherd, born on July 5, 1940, is an American politician. She served in the United States House of Representatives, which is part of the U.S. Congress, from 1993 to 1995.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Karen Rae Felker was born in Silver City, New Mexico. Her father worked for the U.S. Forest Service. Her family moved often when she was young, living in many small towns in southern Utah. They eventually settled in Provo, where she attended high school.
Karen Shepherd went to the University of Utah and earned a degree in English in 1962. The next year, in 1963, she received a master's degree in British Literature from Brigham Young University (BYU).
Early Career and Family
In 1963, Karen married Vincent Shepherd. They moved to Fort Lewis, Washington, where Vincent was an officer in the Army. While there, Karen taught English at Olympic Junior College.
After Vincent left the Army, the couple moved to Cairo, Egypt. They both worked at the American University in Cairo for two years.
When they returned to the U.S., they settled in Utah and had two children, Heather and Dylan. Vincent ran a business that sold oil. Karen taught English to college students at Brigham Young University.
Getting Involved in Politics
Karen Shepherd became very active in the Democratic Party. She helped with political campaigns for senators like Wayne Owens and Frank Moss.
She made history by becoming the first woman to serve at a high level in the Salt Lake County Government. She was the Director of Social Services. In 1978, she became a co-owner of Network Magazine, which focused on issues important to women in the workplace. She also started her own publishing company called Webster Publishing.
In 1988, she sold her business and the magazine. She then became the Director of Development at the University of Utah's School of Business.
In 1990, Karen Shepherd was elected to the Utah State Senate. She took the place of Frances Farley, who had been the only woman serving in the Utah Senate at that time. Karen served in the Utah Legislature for two years. Then, she decided to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. She wanted to take the place of Wayne Owens, who was leaving his seat to run for the U.S. Senate.
Serving in the U.S. Congress
When Karen Shepherd ran for Congress in 1992, her main goals included balancing the government's budget. She also supported government help for health care, education, and protecting the environment. She had a 10-point plan to improve children's lives. This plan included finding fathers who were not paying child support and fully funding the Head Start program, which helps young children from low-income families.
In the election, she ran against Enid Greene. Enid Greene had worked for the Utah Governor and had different views, especially about money and social issues. Karen Shepherd won the election by a small amount, getting 50% of the votes to Enid Greene's 47%. This made Karen Shepherd the second woman from Utah ever elected to Congress.
Key Actions in Congress
When Karen Shepherd started her term in Congress in January 1993, she joined important committees. These included the Natural Resources Committee and the Public Works and Transportation Committee.
She was a leader among the new members of Congress. She helped lead an effort to change how lobbying and campaign financing worked. Lobbying is when groups try to influence lawmakers. They suggested that gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers should be stopped. They also thought that members of Congress should not lead more than one committee.
Karen Shepherd supported President Clinton's budget plan in 1993. This plan cut government spending and raised taxes for people with higher incomes. The budget passed by only one vote. She believed that even though the budget was not perfect, it was important to pass it to move forward with health care and trade agreements. She also supported the Brady Bill, which required background checks for gun purchases, and a ban on certain assault weapons.
Re-election Campaign
In her 1994 election, Karen Shepherd faced Enid Greene again. By this time, Enid Greene was married and used the name Enid Greene Waldholtz. There was also a third candidate, an Independent named Merrill Cook.
The campaign focused on Karen Shepherd's votes on the Clinton budget and her support for gun control. Karen Shepherd continued to support health and welfare reform. She also spoke out for what she called "reasonable gun control." Enid Greene Waldholtz ran on a plan called "The Contract With America." Enid Greene Waldholtz won the election with 46% of the votes. Karen Shepherd received 36%, and Merrill Cook received 18%.
After Congress
After leaving Congress, Karen Shepherd became a Fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University. In 1995, she was part of a group that watched the first elections held in the West Bank and Gaza.
In 1996, President Clinton nominated her to work at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London, U.K. She worked there until 2002. While in London, she led a forum about trade and investment between East and West. She also became a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a group that discusses international issues.
When she returned to the United States in 2002, she worked as an advisor for Emily's List, an organization that helps elect women. She also served on the boards of three companies. In Utah, she served on the boards of Wasatch Homeless Health Care Inc. and two University of Utah programs.
Electoral History Summary
Karen Shepherd ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Utah's 2nd district twice.
- 1992 Election: Karen Shepherd (Democrat) won with 50% of the votes. Enid Greene (Republican) received 47%.
- 1994 Election: Enid Greene Waldholtz (Republican) won with 46% of the votes. Karen Shepherd (Democrat) received 36%, and Merrill Cook (Independent) received 18%.
See also
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
