Kathleen 'Kit' Daugherty (1925–2003) was an American nurse renowned as the mother of prominent Republican politician Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Born in the United States, she married U.S. Army officer Newton Samuel McPherson in 1942, shortly before the birth of their only child, Newton Leroy McPherson (who later adopted the surname Gingrich), on June 17, 1943, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The family's early years were marked by frequent relocations due to McPherson's military postings across various U.S. bases, reflecting the nomadic life of military spouses. Daugherty worked as a registered nurse to support her family, demonstrating resilience amid personal challenges. Her first marriage ended in a contentious divorce in 1946, amid allegations of spousal abuse by McPherson, leaving her as a single mother raising young Newt. She later married Robert Bruce Gingrich, a career officer in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, in 1952, and the family continued their mobile lifestyle, living in states such as Kansas, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. Newt credited his mother with fostering his intellectual curiosity and political interests, often describing her as a pivotal influence in his life despite the turbulence of their early family dynamics, including financial struggles and emotional hardships. Daugherty suffered from health issues in later years, including depression, and passed away on July 13, 2003, in Carrollton, Georgia, at age 78. Her legacy is intertwined with her son's rise in American politics, where she occasionally appeared in media discussions about his background.