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 Patsy
Riley was raised in
Ashland, Alabama. In
1964, she married
her high school
sweetheart and one
year later, almost
to the day, Patsy
Riley was cast in a
role that she would
raise to an art
form-she became a
mother to a son. And
later was blessed
with three
daughters.
In 1996, she became
a Congressional
spouse when her
husband, Bob Riley,
was elected to
represent the Third
Congressional
District of Alabama.
Then, on January 20,
2003, she became
Alabama's First Lady
with the swearing in
of her husband
Governor Bob Riley.
And in this role,
Patsy Riley has
flourished. In
addition to being a
grandmother of six
and one on the way,
she travels the
state promoting her
platform,
Petticoat Politics-a
movement to get the
women of Alabama
involved in issues
that effect Alabama.
These range from
promoting the
natural beauty of
Alabama to issues
affecting children.
She is an advocate
of the HIPPY program
and Kid One
Transport. She is
raising awareness of
childhood obesity
and the health risks
involved. Miss Patsy
is a voice for the
prevention of
domestic violence
against women and
children and is a
charter member of
the Hannah Home
Shelby County
Auxiliary. She is an
avid supporter of
the Alabama Reading
Initiative and
regularly visits
schools encouraging
children to have a
passion for reading.
She supports the
Alabama Foster Care
Association and
established the
"Birthday Wish"
program, which gives
foster care children
an opportunity to
have a birthday
party or a wish
granted. She is the
spokesperson for the
Parent Assistance
Line (PAL), which is
a resource for
parents that are in
need of a friend
during tense
situations with
their children.
First Lady Patsy
Riley works closely
with the Salvation
Army and proudly
serves as a bell
ringer during the
Red Kettle Drive at
Christmas. Each year
she coordinates her
Blankets with a
Blessing program
where blankets are
collected statewide
and distributed to
homeless and women's
shelters across the
state.
In 2003, Miss Patsy
took the initiative
to renovate and
reopen one of the
state's most
beautiful assets-the
Governor's Mansion.
After personally
raising private
funds to fund the
project, the Mansion
is now renovated,
functioning and open
to the people-after
being closed to the
public for almost a
decade. Today, over
50,000 Alabamians,
from children to
adults, have toured
this beautiful home
and grounds and it
has served as the
venue for a variety
of state and
charitable
functions. More
importantly, a new
generation of
Alabamians now know
the beauty and
history of their
Governor's Mansion.
In addition to
renovating the
Governor's Mansion,
she has spearheaded
the Capitol Grounds
Improvement Project.
Newly planted
camellias, azaleas
and roses now add to
the beauty of our
state's Capitol.
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