US Presidential Cabinet Secretary, US Congresswoman, US Ambassador. She served as the 15th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Administration of President Ronald W. Reagan from 1983 until 1985. A member of the Republican Party, she served the State of Massachusetts' 10th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives from 1967 until 1983. Born Margaret Mary O'Shaughnessy, into a Roman Catholic family, she studied abroad at the University of Leiden in Holland and Albertus Magnus College, prior to receiving her Law degree from Boston College Law School. She commenced practicing in Massachusetts and began her career in the political arena, when she served as a committee member in Wellesley. She became the first woman elected to the Governor's Council in 1962, before she was elected to Congress in 1966. During her tenure, she served on the Committee of Veterans Affairs and the Banking and Agricultural Committees. She was a proponent of tax credits for parochial schools and was a voice for the textile industry in New England. She succeeded Richard Schweiker as US Secretary of Health and Human Services and while serving at that capacity, she raised awareness of HIV/AIDS and sought to secure funding. Additionally, she pressed for quicker child support payments from delinquent fathers. She went on to serve as Ambassador to Ireland from 1985 until 1989. She died from cardiac arrest.
US Presidential Cabinet Secretary, US Congresswoman, US Ambassador. She served as the 15th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Administration of President Ronald W. Reagan from 1983 until 1985. A member of the Republican Party, she served the State of Massachusetts' 10th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives from 1967 until 1983. Born Margaret Mary O'Shaughnessy, into a Roman Catholic family, she studied abroad at the University of Leiden in Holland and Albertus Magnus College, prior to receiving her Law degree from Boston College Law School. She commenced practicing in Massachusetts and began her career in the political arena, when she served as a committee member in Wellesley. She became the first woman elected to the Governor's Council in 1962, before she was elected to Congress in 1966. During her tenure, she served on the Committee of Veterans Affairs and the Banking and Agricultural Committees. She was a proponent of tax credits for parochial schools and was a voice for the textile industry in New England. She succeeded Richard Schweiker as US Secretary of Health and Human Services and while serving at that capacity, she raised awareness of HIV/AIDS and sought to secure funding. Additionally, she pressed for quicker child support payments from delinquent fathers. She went on to serve as Ambassador to Ireland from 1985 until 1989. She died from cardiac arrest.
Bio by: C.S.
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