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In 1993, Verveer officially joined the Clinton admin istration as Deputy Assistant to the President and Dep uty Chief of Staff to the First Lady. It is important to note here that the latter position is one that was created for Ms. Verveer by Hillary Clinton whose predecessors in the White House, although often active in issues of great significance to the country, made do with social secretaries. Currently, Verveer is active in many of the issues that are of special concern to the President and the First Lady. Among these, obviously, is the issue of healthcare which in recent months has been the focus of much controversy and much disappointment for the Clinton administration. Other projects in which Verveer has an active role include support for the humanities, children’s advocacy, public education, women’s issues and wel fare reform. She frequently travels with the First Lady and is recognized in Washington as a skilled strategist, team-builder and problem solver. In a recent telephone interview, Verveer indicated that in her current job there is no such things as a typi cal day, no set routine. Odd hours. Early mornings and late nights. A daily checklist of things to do which is subject to change as something more important comes up or as something seemingly simple becomes complex and requires more time. In a single day, for example, she may accompany the First Lady to meetings on health care, then dash to another meeting on establish ing an international health partnership with Eastern Europe, and then to another meeting on employment for women. Verveer is married and the mother of three grown children — Michael, Alexa, and Elaina. She is quick to admit that her own career was shaped by motherhood, that there were priorities that had to be considered when she began working. Teaching and part-time volun teer work were “doable”. As the children grew, she became more politically active, “but it started as a part- time job, very gradual.” She feels that her own career was not particularly hindered by her gender, but views this as a benefit gained because of women who broke earlier stereotypes and barriers — “I’m standing on other people’s shoulders.” She concedes that maintain ing a career and raising children is a difficult juggling act. “I couldn’t do what I do now if I had young child ren.” And she is accutely aware of the difficulties con fronted by other women, commenting that many em ployers, even now, find it difficult to adapt to the needs of working mothers. “There are still constraints and hurdles.” As a mother and former teacher, she is also greatly concerned with the issue of public education and points out that the bottom line of the issue is responsibility. "Parents need to inculcate responsibility and values. Public institutions have a responsibility to invest in children.” Verveer derives great satisfaction from her work with the Clintons and gives the administration high marks for its commitment to social issues. “I was raised to see government as helpful...and this government cares about people.” She believes that Clinton will win a second term as president. Verveer is stoically undaunted by personal attacks by political opponents and cites an early mentor’s advice on dealing with Washington’s infighting. “There are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies in W a shington.” She is quick to explain that everything de pends on the issues involved. “You can’t take it perso nally...Just be honest and be thorough and know that you aren’t going to convince everyone about everything. But it seems nastier these days, less civil than it might be. More shouting than reasoning. I wish we could do better.” Verveer also admits that the work she does is occa sionally frustrating because it is difficult to bring about a change. Change is slow. There is no immediate grati fication. The work is often exhausting and time consum ing. She likes to read, but finds little time to read any thing but work-related materials. She enjoys social en gagements like dinner or concerts even though most of them are job related. There is not much time for vacations. Though Melanne Veneer maintains no personal contact with the Ukrainian community in Washington, she did attend several of the state functions planned for President Kuchma’s recent visit to the United States. At the state dinner for President Kuchma, Verveer was introduced to the Ukrainian President by Bill Clinton who commented, “When I knew her in college she always said Ukraine would be free.” While she maintains that her role in President Kuchma’s visit to the White House was minimal, she saw to it that the former princi pal of Saint Mary’s Villa Academy and the current presi dent of Manor Junior College in Jenkintown were invited to the state luncheon. They are, according to Verveer, part of the leadership of the Ukrainian community and she thought it important for them to be there. Melanne Verveer reunited with her former teacher of St. Mary’s Villa Academy. Anna Krawczuk looks on.
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