Mary Elizabeth Alexander Dole, commonly known as Elizabeth Dole or 'Liddy,' is an American attorney, author, and Republican politician with a distinguished career in public service. Born on July 29, 1936, in Salisbury, North Carolina, she graduated with distinction from Duke University, earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Harvard University, and obtained her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. Her career includes serving as U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Ronald Reagan (1983-1987), U.S. Secretary of Labor under George H. W. Bush (1989-1990), and as U.S. Senator from North Carolina (2003-2009). She was the first woman to hold both Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Labor positions. Dole also served as president of the American Red Cross (1991-1999), sought the Republican nomination for the 2000 presidential election, and has been married to former Senator Bob Dole since 1975. She founded the Elizabeth Dole Foundation in 2012 to support military and veteran families. Her career spans five presidential administrations and exemplifies trailblazing leadership in government and nonprofit sectors.