Former Governor of Delaware, Ruth Ann Minner will present a public talk titled, "From High School Drop-out to the Governor's Office" at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23 in Bowl 001, Robertson Hall, on the Princeton University campus.

Minner was elected Governor of Delaware in 2000 and was reelected in 2004. She was Delaware’s fourth consecutive two term governor and served as the first female President of the Council of State Governments in 2005.

Gov. Minner began her political career as a clerk in the Delaware House of Representatives and as a receptionist in the office of Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt. In 1974, she was elected to the State House as a member of the "Watergate Class," a group of newly elected legislators from both parties, who came into office on a "good government" mission, and a strong sense of their ability to make significant improvements. Gov. Minner rose to become Delaware's most powerful female politician, by representing a rural, small town constituency, and building relationships and expertise by working in the legislative process over many years.

She served four terms in the State House, from the 1975/1976 session through the 1981/82 session. During this time she served as House Majority Whip; chair of the Bond Bill Committee; and chair of the Rules Committee.

In 1982, Minner was elected to the Delaware Senate and served there from the 1983/1984 session through the 1991/1992 session. While in the State Senate, Minner was noted for her sponsorship of the Delaware Land and Water Conservation Act, a key piece of legislation that protected 30,000 acres of land and created the Delaware Open Space Council. In 1992, she was elected Lieutenant Governor, and served two terms from January 19, 1993 to January 3, 2001. While in that position she chaired the Minner Commission on Government Reorganization and Effectiveness.

This event is co-sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and the Office of Graduate Career Services. It is part of the Christian Johnson Endeavor Leadership through Mentorship program and is free and open to the public.