RALEIGH — During legislative business on June 4, the North Carolina General Assembly honored North Carolina’s former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole through a Senate resolution as a “trailblazing public servant” for her five decades of service.
“Senator Dole is a trailblazer with an unwavering commitment to the people of North Carolina,” House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) said in a press statement. “Our state is proud to call her one of our own, and we will always remember her example.”
Gov. Josh Stein also met with Dole and proclaimed June 4 to be Elizabeth Dole Day. Current and former elected officials were in attendance to honor Dole, including Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, State Auditor Dave Boliek, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, Labor Commissioner Luke Farley and former Gov. Pat McCrory.
Dole served as North Carolina’s first female U.S. senator from 2003 to 2009, focusing on military affairs, veterans issues, and health care. The resolution outlines her lengthy career spanning five decades, marked by such honors as the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024 and induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1995.
Dole was born in Salisbury in 1946 and “was raised in a traditional Southern family that emphasized education and civic responsibility.” Dole earned a degree in political science from Duke University in 1958 and was one of the few women to graduate from Harvard Law School in 1965.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the General Assembly’s recognition of Sen. Elizabeth Dole’s lifetime of outstanding public service,” said Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan), who represents Dole’s hometown of Salisbury.
“Sen. Dole’s record of accomplishments in the political, business and professional arenas is remarkable; her actions have saved and improved lives for thousands of people and will continue to impact thousands going forward,” Warren said.
Married to Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) until he died in 2021, the 88-year-old Dole has been a political powerhouse, paving the way for women in leadership and leaving a lasting legacy in public service and philanthropy.
Her early career included roles in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, as well as the White House Office of Consumer Affairs, followed by her appointment as a federal trade commissioner under President Richard Nixon. As the first woman to serve as Secretary of Transportation under President Ronald Reagan, she implemented critical measures, including seatbelt and airbag regulations. These safety changes have saved an estimated 563,000 lives to date.
Dole’s leadership extended beyond the government to humanitarian efforts.
From 1991 to 1999, she served as president of the American Red Cross, modernizing its blood collection and disaster response systems and ensuring its vitality as a key humanitarian organization.
In 2012, she founded the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, which supports more than 14.3 million military caregivers. Her advocacy led to the passage of the Elizabeth Dole Act in 2024, enhancing support for caregivers through expanded Veterans Affairs services and a dedicated resource center, reflecting her commitment to veterans and their families.
At a June 6 ceremony, a 2½-mile section of Interstate 85 was named the Senator Elizabeth Dole Highway in a ceremony attended by family, friends, various officials and the state Department of Transportation. The portion of the road named in Dole’s honor extends from near exit 75 to Bringle Ferry Road.
Warren and the City of Salisbury requested the highway designation, which the N.C. Department of Transportation unanimously approved.
