Forum Network

Shriver became California's First Lady when her husband, Arnold Schwarzenegger, became the 38th Governor of California on November 17, 2003. Shriver has used her voice to advocate on behalf of women, the working poor, the intellectually disabled and families struggling with Alzheimer's. She has created groundbreaking programs and initiatives that educate, enlist, empower, connect, and honor people who are what she calls Architects of Change in their own lives and in the lives of others. Shriver has organized these initiatives under a banner called WE. The WE programs have been successful in motivating people to get involved and unite across gender, economic, and party lines. Shriver's message to all Californians is to look within and find out what WE can do together when WE come together.

Anthony Shriver, 35, founded and was named President of Best Buddies International, Inc., in January 1989. The mission of Best Buddies, a non-profit organization, is to enhance the lives of people with mental retardation by providing opportunities for socialization and employment. The great need for Best Buddies is perhaps demonstrated by the awards Shriver has accepted on behalf of the organization. Some of these awards include: The Jewish Association for Retarded Citizens Humanitarian Award; the St. Coletta Award; Washingtonian of the Year Award; The Rock Creek Foundation Business Award; The St. John Child Development Center Volunteer Service Award; the Kiwanis International Award; the Adrian Dominican Leadership Award from Barry University; and an Honorary Degree from Loyola College in Maryland. Independent of Best Buddies, Shriver is an Associate Trustee of The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1965. A graduate of Georgetown University, he holds a Bachelor's degree with a double major in Theology and History. Shriver is married to Alina Shriver, and they have three children, Teddy, Eunice, and Francesca.

Dr. Carol R. Johnson has been Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools since August 2007, appointed by a unanimous vote of the Boston School Committee after a national search. As Superintendent of the 56,000-student district in the capital city of Massachusetts, she also serves a cabinet member for Mayor Thomas M. Menino. Dr. Johnson has a wealth of experience in public education as a teacher, principal, and administrator. She previously served as Superintendent of the Memphis City Schools in Memphis, Tennessee, the largest district in the state, with 119,000 students. During her tenure, she successfully removed more than 100 Memphis City Schools from the states No Child Left Behind high priority list, reducing the number of schools on the list by more than half. Dr. Johnson had been Superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools, where she was named Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. She also had led the St. Louis Park, Minnesota school district located in suburban Minneapolis. In 2007, the Tennessee Parent Teacher Association named Dr. Johnson the Tennessee Superintendent of the Year. Prior to her appointment in Memphis in 2003, She earned a bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Minnesota.