Category: 2016 Biographies

Kami Cotler

Kami CotlerKami Cotler serves as the founding Principal of Environmental Charter Middle School. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Ms. Cotler attended the University of California at Berkeley, where she graduated with a degree in Social Sciences and then received her teaching credential. Ms. Cotler began her teaching career in a small, rural district near Charlottesville, Virginia where she taught in ALPHA, an interdisciplinary, alternative program for at-risk high school students. When she returned to California, she took a position as ninth grade team leader at Environmental Charter High School in Lawndale, California. While exploring education options for her own children, Ms. Cotler learned about Ocean Charter School and worked on various committees in the year before the school’s opening. In August 2004, she was selected as founding co-director at the Ocean Charter School. After serving as co-director for three years, Ms. Cotler began an educational consulting business, working with developing charters and homeschooling families. Her experiences outside education include running a boutique travel company, an internship at IBM, managing a café in San Francisco, and, as a child, acting on the television series “The Waltons”. She has been a member of the Board of the American Montessori Society, the Ocean Charter School board of trustees, and the Goethe International Charter School board of trustees. She made famous the role of Elizabeth on The Walton’s television show.

Margaret Kerry

Margaret Kerry is probably best known for a beguiling character that was only 3 1/2 inches tall.  Kerry was the model for Disney’s enchanting fairy Tinker Bell. Chosen for both her dancing and pantomime abilities, Kerry started in show business when she was only 4 in Midsummer Night’s Dream playing, in an interesting twist of fate, a little fairy.  Kerry later worked as a dancer and actor in three of the Our Gang comedy shorts and played the role of Eddie Cantor’s teenage daughter in the film If You Knew Susie.  Besides Kerry’s work in movies and television, she appeared on The Andy Griffith Show, she is also known for her work as a voiceover performer with a wide range of character voices.  Kerry also worked in radio as a producer, writer and host of “What’s Up Weekly” on KKLA-FM Los Angeles.  Tinker Bell Talks is the official Margaret Kerry web site and has more pictures and information on Margaret’s fascinating life. 

Margaret Kelly

 

Alison Arngrim

Alison-ArngrimNew York Times Best Selling author of “Confessions of A Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated”, Alison Arngrim is best known to viewers world-wide for her portrayal of the incredibly nasty “Nellie Oleson” on the much loved, long running hit television series “Little House On The Prairie,” and continues to amuse audiences through her many film, television, stage and multi-media appearances.

Her one woman show “Confessions of a Prairie Bitch”, which started at Club Fez in New York in 2002, has now become a world-wide phenomenon, having been performed to packed houses in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Green Bay, San Francisco, Seattle, and in France, where Alison performs entirely in French to standing room only crowds in her all French version titled: “Confessions d’une Garce de La Prairie” and “La Malle aux Tresors de Nellie Oleson.”

As a stand-up comedian, Alison has headlined at nightclubs such as the Laugh Factory, the Comedy Store and the Improv in Los Angeles; as well as the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York and assorted comedy venues all across the United States and Canada.

Alison has mocked her status as an “ex-child star” on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show, during their month long parody, “Hollywood Survivor” and continues to be a frequent interview subject on everything from “A&E”, “E! Entertainment”, “TV Land” and “VH-1”, to CNN and the Travel Channel.   The TV Land network honored her undying image as TV’s worst bitch, by declaring her the winner of their 2006 award for, “Character Most Desperately In Need Of A Time Out”.

In her spare time, she takes tourists on the rollicking comedy outing, “Nasty Nellie’s Tour of Hollywood”, (featured at Dearly Departed Tours), where she simultaneously enlightens and amuses passengers with behind the scenes tales from both Hollywood history and her own life.

Never one to forget her “Prairie” roots, Alison enjoys making appearances several times a year at various “Little House on the Prairie” historical sites for educational events and gatherings of fans. She has been a frequent visitor to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in the real life Walnut Grove, Minnesota as well as Green Bay, Wisconsin’s Heritage Hills, Mumford’s Genesee Country Village, Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri and many, many others.

She currently serves as California Chair, National Spokesperson and Founding Board Member on the National Advisory Board of The National Association to Protect Children, or PROTECT.org, fighting to give children a legal and political voice in the war against child abuse.   As an activist for the improvement of child protection laws, she has spoken before the California Senate and worked on legislative and political campaigns in several states, including Virginia and New York, in addition to PROTECT’s work on federal legislation in Washington, D.C.

Alison currently lives somewhere in the wilds of Tujunga with her husband of over twenty years, musician Bob Schoonover, (from the rock and roll band “Catahoula”) and their evil cat, Clarice. She takes pride in the fact that so many people enjoyed hating her as a girl and is more than happy to give them the opportunity to do so in the future.

John Ashcroft

John-AshcroftFormer U.S. Attorney General, Governor and U.S. Senator John Ashcroft serves as founder and Chairman of The Ashcroft Group and The Ashcroft Law Firm (together, the “Firm”).  Together with the select group of seasoned, respected and experienced senior executives he recruited to join him – many of whom helped to lead the U.S. Department of Justice during a significant time in our nation’s history – the Firm has earned a reputation for integrity and a track record for accelerating successful resolutions of even the most complex matters.  With a focus on issues of integrity and corporate governance, the Firm provides compliance advice, legal counsel and consulting services to world-leading clients, including Fortune 500 companies, multi-national corporations and corporate executives.
As Attorney General, and the U.S. Justice Department’s CEO, Mr. Ashcroft led the world’s largest and foremost international law firm and law enforcement agency—an organization larger than most Fortune 500 companies, with over 122,000 employees. Mr. Ashcroft integrated strategic planning, budgeting and performance measures, which resulted in the DOJ earning a clean audit for the first time in its history.
Mr. Ashcroft boldly led the Department of Justice through the transformational period after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He subsequently reorganized the Department to focus on its number one priority: preventing terrorism. The tough antiterrorism campaign he directed helped keep America safe throughout his tenure and resulted in the dismantling of terrorist cells across America and the disruption of over 150 terrorist plots worldwide.
Within two months of the attacks, and with financial markets still reeling, the unprecedented corporate scandals at ENRON, WorldCom and dozens more unfolded, further destabilizing the weakened economy. John Ashcroft was called upon to restore America’s faith in the integrity of our marketplace. He marshaled the resources of the federal government to bring to justice those guilty of massive corporate fraud. At all times, he demanded that cases be brought swiftly, with appropriate serious penalties—always taking into account the best interests of the employees and shareholders whose lives were most directly affected.
From 1985 to 1993, as Governor of Missouri, Ashcroft balanced eight consecutive budgets, built a $120 million budget surplus and established a $190 million operating reserve. His management and fiscal integrity helped generate 338,000 new jobs state-wide, a triple-A bond rating from the three major Wall Street rating agencies, a per capita state and local tax burden ranked 49th in the United States and a 12 percent increase in personal income. His new education performance standards led Fortune magazine to name him as one of the nation’s top ten Education Governors. In 1991, the non-partisan National Governors Association voted him Chairman.
Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994, he brought his management skills to Washington where he authored budget rules protecting Social Security and Medicare and helped balance the federal budget for the first time in decades. As a member of the Senate Judiciary, Foreign Relations and Commerce Committees, he worked to reform laws regulating the banking, telecommunications, aviation, transportation and information technology industries.
In 1973, Mr. Ashcroft served as Missouri Auditor, followed by two terms as Missouri Attorney General. He was raised in Springfield, Missouri, received his undergraduate degree from Yale University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago.

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Mary Jean Eisenhower

 

Mary Jean Eisenhower

Mary Jean Eisenhower was born in Washington, D.C. during her grandfather Dwight D. Eisenhower’s first term in office as President of the United States. She was christened in the Blue Room of the White House and grew up in nearby Gettysburg, PA, in a home with property abutting the Eisenhower Farm, where President Eisenhower eventually retired.

She attended several schools in Pennsylvania until her father, John, was named as US Ambassador to Belgium. She lived in Brussels with her family from shortly after her grandfather’s death in 1969 through 1972.

Mary Eisenhower is Chairman Emeritus of People to People International, which was founded September 11, 1956 by her grandfather. Mary says that she joined PTPI hoping to carry on her grandfather’s dream, but that now it has become a dream of her own. President Eisenhower founded PTPI with the financial backing of his friend Joyce Hall, founder of Hallmark Cards, who insisted it be headquartered in Kansas City.

Mary Eisenhower established the PTPI Friendship Fund in 1999 following an inspirational visit to an orphanage in Morocco. The fund is designed as a way for people to help the friends and facilities they visit throughout the world and to help the PTPI Chapter network assist each other.

To date, the fund has provided assistance to causes such as the Global Humanitarian Eradication of Landmines; Children’s Mercy Hospital in London, England; earthquake relief in India; disaster relief to victims of September 11, 2001 and their families; support of schools for the underprivileged in China and Sri Lanka; a home for leukemia victims and their families in Cuba; Operation International Children; New Horizons (a library project in Viet Nam); The Survivors of Rwanda; Japan Tsunami Relief; Haiti, and Friends of Egypt, among others. One-hundred percent of all funds received through the organization go to the efforts and projects as specified by the donors.

Following September 11, 2001, Mary’s focus intensified toward getting young people from around the world together to learn about each other and conflict management. Her vision resulted in “Peace Camp 2003: An Evolution of Thought and Action” and “The Global Peace Initiative.” Both efforts have brought people from diverse areas, more than 30 nationalities, together in Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, to discuss issues and reach a better understanding of their unique and individual cultures. The program remains active today.

Highlighted awards of Mary’s are: the Knight of Peace Award from the International University in Assisi, Italy; the Medal of Honor from the Slovak Republic; The Consular Corps Award of Excellence; The Harry S. Truman Award for Public Service; Friendship Ambassador from The Peoples’ Republic of China, among others. Eisenhower has received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Schiller International University, Park University and William Jewell College.

Mary is currently continuing her humanitarian work through, Outreach International, a humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating poverty throughout the world.

For more information, please visit www.mjeisenhower.com.

 

Affiliations:

People to People Ambassador Programs
Spokane, Washington
Humanitarian Ambassador
Member, Advisory Board

The Eisenhower Foundation
Abilene, Kansas
Corporate Secretary
Member of the Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Selection Committee: Museum Design

Snowball Express (Families of the Fallen)
Dallas, Texas
Member, Advisory Board

People to People International
Chairman Emeritus
Member, Board of Directors
Member, Board of Trustees

Sister Cities International
Washington, D. C.
Member, Advisory Board

Rocky Top Ranch (Equestrian Therapy)
Keller, Texas
Member, Advisory Board

Boy Scouts of America
Washington, D.C.
Member, Advisory Board

 

 

Lulu Roman

Lulu Roman

Donna & Lulu
Donna Douglas and Lulu Roman

LuLu Roman has enjoyed many successes in her life, but also more than her share of disappointments and hardships.  She is best known for her side splitting humor and jovial disposition, but a lesser known story lies behind those sparkling radiant eyes which have often been filled with tears, both of pain and of joy.

LuLu is best known as the most requested female cast member on the long running hit television Show “Hee Haw.”  The show ran from 1969-1993, and is now in reruns on the RFD-TV network.  LuLu is also known for her accomplished and celebrated songwriting and singing all over the world.

A native of Dallas, TX, LuLu was born in a home for unwed mothers, and placed in an orphan’s home shortly after birth. She was born with a thyroid dysfunction, and it would be in the orphan’s home that she first endured the pain of being unaccepted because of her weight.  Her weight made her the brunt of much name-calling and teasing, and also prevented her from being adopted into a loving home.  It was then she learned to use her sense of humor as a defense mechanism.

LuLu’s sense of humor later evolved into a highly successful career as an actress and comedienne with a lead role on “Hee Haw.”   However, success and wealth proved poisonous to the young actress.  LuLu’s search for acceptance and happiness eventually lead her to a drug addiction, which sent her down a spiral that nearly destroyed her life and career in 1971.

In 1973, a chance meeting with an old friend lead her to discover a new found faith in the Lord, and changed her life forever.  It was in this revelation that she discovered she had a hidden talent in her voice.  LuLu then began singing Gospel music, and eventually introduced it to “Hee Haw.”

LuLu’s new found career as a vocalist proved to be very successful.  She is the recipient of a Dove award, and has been nominated many times.  She is also a member of the Country Gospel Music and Christian Music halls of fame.  LuLu has also been honored with the JD Sumner Living Legend Award and named Favorite Crossover Artist by the Country Gospel Music Association.  The TV Land network also awarded LuLu with their prestigious Entertainer’s Award.

To date, LuLu has recorded 21 albums and is still singing in churches, seminars, fairs, performing arts centers, and anywhere she is welcomed to share her life story and music.

Her latest gospel project “Seven Times” has garnered an international hit song (“Do You Know How To Fly”), and is still being shared across the globe. It also features one of the last songs her precious friend Dottie Rambo wrote for her, “Move Upon Us.” 

LuLu has just completed a new project entitled “At Last.”  The album features 12 of her favorite standards and classics, such as “I Will Always Love You,” “Summertime,” “You Don’t Know Me,” “Til I Can Make It On My Own, ” and the title song.  LuLu’s dear friends Dolly Parton, T. Graham Brown, Linda Davis, and Georgette Jones also joined her on the album.

In addition to “Hee Haw,” LuLu has also been a guest star on such television programs as “The Love Boat” and “Touched By An Angel.”  She is also an accomplished author, with her autobiography and her cookbook “Kitchen Komforts.”

Although she has been performing for over 40 years, she has no plans to rest or retire.  LuLu continues to travel sharing her testimony, her humor, and her music.  

Jonathan Sandys

Jonathan SandysJonathan Sandys is the great-grandson of Britain’s wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, and is an internationally recognized author and public speaker. Since 2005, Jonathan has been communicating the morals, values and leadership skills of his great-grandfather and those of that “Greatest Generation” in a vibrant and interactive way to both young and old alike. Though born ten years after his illustrious relative’s passing, Jonathan very much credits his legacy as a major positive influence in his life. As a result, Jonathan found the never, never, never, never give in attitude of Churchill, was what made it possible for him to rise above the challenges of dyslexia and social isolation and become very successful. Jonathan’s life mission is to use both the experiences of his great-grandfather and his own to encourage and inspire people of all ages and walks of life to “Never Surrender!”

His first book, God & Churchill: How the Great Leader’s Sense of Divine Destiny Changed His Troubled World and Offers Hope for Ours, was released by Tyndale Momentum in the U.S. October 1, 2015.

“I have known four generations of the Churchill family. The noblest remaining of that family is Jonathan Sandys. He has both the vision and the voice to carry forth the legacy of his great-grandfather and is well worthy to offer this account of Churchill’s life and faith. God and Churchill has earned a place next to the greatest of books ever written on the master statesman.” (James C. Humes, Author and former presidential speech writer)

 

Bertram Hayes-Davis

Bertram Hayes-Davis

Bertram Hayes-Davis, a great great grandson of Jefferson Davis, is deeply committed to educating the public about the life and legacy of his distinguished ancestor.  Bertram has served since 1976 as the President of the Davis Family Association and since 1988 as the President of the Papers of Jefferson Davis.  He is the former Executive Director of Beauvoir, the last home of Jefferson Davis and the Presidential Library in Biloxi, Mississippi.  Over the last 35 years Bertram has traveled and spoken at a majority of Davis sights throughout the country. He has been interviewed by Life and People magazines  and is on several online interviews.

 

Bertram is currently serving as the President of the Beauvoir Foundation.  The Foundation’s mission is to support opportunities and exhibits to educate the public about the life of Jefferson Davis.  He and his wife Carol travel the country speaking on behalf of the Foundation.

 

Bertram has a Master’s of Science in Geology, and spent sixteen years in the Oil and Gas Exploration business.  Four of those years were spent working in Russia conducting studies to determine the oil potential in Western Siberia.  He has also worked in his hometown of Colorado Springs for Colorado College as both the Director of Corporate Support and the Director of Athletic Fund Raising.  Bertram was the Director of Development for The Pikes Peak Community Foundation, and the Director of External Relations for Peak Vista Community Health Centers; both organizations are located in Colorado Springs.  Bertram held positions in the financial industry for J.P. Morgan both as a Trust Advisor in Colorado Springs, and as the Vice President, Head of Oil and Gas Management in Dallas, Texas.

 

In addition to his varied work experience, Bertram is also involved with numerous charitable organizations.  He has served on boards in both Colorado and Mississippi such as The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, The Broadmoor Improvement Society, and the Combined Boards of Beauvoir.  In his free time, he enjoys travel and golf.