As Elizabeth Dole marks her 90th birthday, former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald says her greatest legacy isn't found in the Cabinet positions she held, the U.S. Senate seat she occupied or the national organizations she led. Instead, in an exclusive interview with Military.com, McDonald said Dole's most enduring contribution is her decades-long commitment to recognizing, supporting and giving a voice to the millions of military and veteran caregivers whose sacrifices too often go unseen. For most Americans, Dole's legacy is defined by a career of historic firsts. She became the first woman to serve as U.S. secretary of transportation, making her the first woman to oversee the U.S. Coast Guard. She later served as secretary of labor, represented North Carolina in the U.S. Senate and became the first woman to lead the American Red Cross since its founder, Clara Barton. Her work on highway safety helped usher in seat belt requirements, airbags and other initiatives credited with saving countless lives.
Elizabeth Dole is the epitome of a leader of character, McDonald told Military.com. Everything she does is focused on serving someone in need. Whether it was one of the Cabinet roles she held or her experiences with Bob at Walter Reed, where she discovered the need to support military caregivers and veterans. I think character is a differentiator.
