Lynn M. Martin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lynn M. Martin
21st United States Secretary of Labor
In office February 7, 1991 – January 20, 1993
President	George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	Elizabeth Dole
Succeeded by	Robert Reich
Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference
In office January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1989
Leader	Robert H. Michel
Preceded by	Jack Edwards
Succeeded by	Bill McCollum
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 16th district
In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1991
Preceded by	John B. Anderson
Succeeded by	John W. Cox Jr.
Member of the Illinois Senate from the 34th district
In office January 1979 – January 1981
Preceded by	Vivian Hickey
Succeeded by	W. Timothy Simms
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 34th district
In office January 1977 – January 1979 Serving with Edolo J. Giorgi, W. Timothy Simms
Preceded by	Guy Stubblefield
Succeeded by	John W. Hallock, Jr.
Member of the Winnebago County Board
In office 1972–1976
Personal details
Born	Judith Lynn Morley (1939-12-26) December 26, 1939 (age 85) Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouses	John Martin ​ ​ (m. 1960; div. 1978)​ Harry Leinenweber ​ ​ (m. 1987; died 2024)​
Children	2
Education	University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (BA)

Lynn Morley Martin (born Judith Lynn Morley on December 26, 1939) is an American businesswoman and former politician. She was a member of the Republican Party. Martin served as the 21st United States Secretary of Labor from 1991 to 1993 under President George H. W. Bush. The Secretary of Labor is a member of the President's Cabinet and leads the department that protects the rights of workers.

Before her role in the Cabinet, Martin represented Illinois in the United States House of Representatives for ten years, from 1981 to 1991. She also served in the Illinois state government, first in the Illinois House of Representatives and then in the Illinois Senate.

Early Life and Path to Politics

Lynn Martin was born in Evanston, Illinois. Her father was an accountant. After graduating from Taft High School in Chicago, she went to the University of Illinois.

After college, she became a teacher in Rockford, Illinois. Her career in public service began when she was elected to the Winnebago County Board in 1972. She later won elections to the Illinois state legislature, serving in both the House and the Senate before running for the U.S. Congress.

A Career in the U.S. Congress

In 1980, Martin ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and won. In Congress, she believed in being careful with government spending (fiscally conservative) and supported lower taxes and fewer rules for businesses. She also supported women's rights, including the Equal Rights Amendment.

Leadership and Key Votes

In the House, Martin became the vice chair of the House Republican Conference. This made her the first woman ever elected to a leadership job by House Republicans. She was known for being tough on government spending and earned the nickname "the Axe."

Martin sometimes disagreed with her own party on important issues. For example, she voted to increase the minimum wage. She also voted to place penalties (sanctions) on South Africa for its unfair system of apartheid.

Working with George H. W. Bush

Martin was a strong supporter of the Reagan Administration. In 1984, she helped Vice President George H. W. Bush prepare for a debate against Geraldine Ferraro. Martin pretended to be Ferraro in practice debates and challenged Bush with tough questions. This helped him get ready for the real debate.

Bush thought highly of Martin and considered her as a possible running mate for Vice President when he ran for president in 1988. He ended up choosing Senator Dan Quayle instead.

Martin's official U.S. Department of Labor portrait, by artist Peter Egeli

Running for the U.S. Senate

In 1990, Martin ran for the U.S. Senate against the popular Democrat Paul Simon. Her campaign used humorous ads that made fun of Simon's famous bow tie. However, some voters thought the ads were mean.

Simon raised more money for his campaign and was very well-liked in Illinois. He won the election, and Martin lost her bid for the Senate.

Secretary of Labor

Even though she lost the Senate race, President George H. W. Bush appointed Martin to his Cabinet. In 1991, she became the Secretary of Labor. The U.S. Senate approved her for the job with a vote of 94 to 0.

As Secretary of Labor, Martin worked to create programs that helped American workers gain new skills. One of her most important projects was the "Glass Ceiling Commission." This group studied why women and minorities often had trouble getting promoted to top jobs in business. The term "glass ceiling" refers to an invisible barrier that stops people from advancing in their careers. Martin fought to give women and minorities more opportunities in the corporate world.

At the 1992 Republican National Convention, Martin was chosen to give the speech that officially nominated President Bush to run for a second term.

Life After Politics

After leaving her government job in 1993, Martin became a professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She also worked as an advisor for the company Deloitte, helping them improve how they hired and promoted women and minorities.

In 1995, she thought about running for president but decided not to after finding she did not have enough support. Martin has also served on the boards of major companies like AT&T Corporation and Procter & Gamble.

Personal Life

Lynn Martin married John Martin in 1960, and they had two daughters. They divorced in 1978. In 1987, she married Harry Leinenweber, a federal judge. He passed away in 2024. She also has five stepchildren.

Awards

In 2000, Lynn Martin was honored with the Order of Lincoln. This is the highest award given by the state of Illinois for public service.

See also

In Spanish: Lynn Morley Martin para niños

• List of female United States Cabinet members
• Women in the United States House of Representatives