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Page 12 � Nov. 2–Nov. 8, 2007 � Almaden Times Weekly
Ann Romney
visits Almaden
By Jeanne C. Carbone
Staff Writer
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s
wife Ann visited the Almaden home of Richard
and Nan Hunter last Friday.
Attended by more than a 100 Bay Area supporters, she
charmed with her persona and knowledge of the issues.
“It is my pleasure to introduce Ann Romney this
evening,” said Nan Hunter. “Ann Romney places primary
importance on her role as a wife, a mother and a grandmother.
She and Gov. Mitt Romney have been married for
Times Local News
“It is my pleasure to introduce Ann Romney this evening,” said Nan
Hunter, at right. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis
38 years, and are the parents of five children and 10
grandchildren. Please give a warm welcome to the next
first lady of the United States, Ann Romney.”
Her visit to the Bay Area started with the annual
California Conference on Women in Long Beach organized
and moderated by Maria Shriver. One of the highlights
of the symposium, attended by over 14,000
women, was Shriver’s interviews with the wives of
presidential candidates: Elizabeth Edwards, Cindy
McCain, Michelle Obama, Ann Romney and Jeri
Thompson.
Romney talked about meeting her future husband at
Brigham Young University and parenting five boys. Her
husband was elected governor of Massachusetts in
2002. That same year he received national recognition
for his role in successfully turning around the Winter
Olympics surrounded in controversy and facing a
financial crisis.
Romney also discussed her 1998 diagnosis with multiple
sclerosis [MS]. She volunteered much of her time
to raise awareness of the disease as a board member of
the New England chapter of the MS Society and recently
was awarded the Society’s Inspiration Award.
As a member of the board of the Massachusetts Bay
United Way, Romney implemented and supported programs
to serve at-risk youth and has served on their
executive committee and Community Impact
Committee. One of her goals is to improve the welfare
of children throughout the world.
She’s involved with Right To Play, an international
nonprofit organization that uses sport and play as a
developmental tool for children in the most disadvantaged
areas of the world. She has served in the annual
Scholastic Reading event, Partners for Youth with
Disabilities, the American Red Cross, was past president
of Best Friends and the Perkins School for the
Blind.
As Massachusetts’ first lady, she also served as a
board member of the Children’s Trust Fund and many
others. In recognition of her charitable efforts, she
received the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from
Operation Kids.
A sports enthusiast and an avid equestrian, Romney
has received competitive recognition in dressage events
nationwide, including winning the 2006 gold medal
and 2005 silver medal at the grand prix level from the
United States Dressage Federation. But she also lends
her time and leadership to equine therapy programs for
physically challenged children.
“The Romneys are very impressive,” said Diane Blake.
“I heard Mitt Romney speak and he is very knowledgeable
and experienced. He knows the business of a country.
And they are really a team.”
“And Ann is great. She’s a super hero—any woman who
raised five sons. He has my vote!” added Blake.
Some at the event even compared Romney to Jack
Kennedy.
“It reminds you of when electing a Catholic was a big
deal,” said Saratoga resident Mark Murillo. “Now being
a Mormon is a non-issue.”