Connie Berube Binsfeld (April 18, 1924 – January 12, 2014) was an American

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

politician from the U.S. State of

Michigan Michigan () is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the List of U.S. states and ...

. She served as the 60th lieutenant governor of Michigan. Starting as an advocate for the environment in planning for the

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a United States National Lakeshore located along the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan in Leelanau and Benzie counties near Empire, Michigan. The park covers a stretch of Lake Michiga ...

, she also was known for protecting interests of women and children. She was the first woman to hold leadership posts in Michigan's House, Senate and executive branch, where she served four terms in the House, two in the Senate, and two as Lieutenant Governor.

Biography

Born Connie Berube in

Munising, Michigan Munising ( ') is a city in Alger County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,355 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Alger County. The city is partially surrounded by Munising Township, but the two are administered auton ...

, in 1924, she attended local schools. After graduating from high school, Berube went to Siena Heights College. After she married in the 1940s, she and her husband settled near Detroit and had a family. She later taught high school history and politics. Binsfeld became involved in local politics in

Leelanau County, Michigan Leelanau County ( ) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 22,301. Since 2008, the county seat has been located within Suttons Bay Township, one mile east of the unincorporated village of ...

, where she and her family moved to

Glen Lake Glen Lake is a lake located in Northern Michigan. Located in the southwestern Leelanau Peninsula, the lake is directly adjacent to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and is, at its closed, about from Lake Michigan. The lake consists of two ...

from Detroit in 1968. She headed a citizens' council to participate in planning for the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore. She served 10 years on the Great Lakes Commission. Recognized for her speaking and leadership, Binsfeld was first elected to political office as county commissioner for

. In 1974, she was elected to the first of four successive terms in the Michigan House of Representatives. She would later serve two terms in the Michigan Senate. As a member of the

Legislature A legislature is an assembly with the authority to make law Law is a set of rules that are created and are enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior,Robertson, ''Crimes against humanity'', 90. with its p ...

, she was known for sponsoring some of the strongest legislation to address domestic violence, and was known as an advocate for women and children. She continued her interest in the environment. At the time of her death, Gov.

Rick Snyder Richard Dale Snyder (born August 19, 1958) is an American business executive, venture capitalist, attorney, accountant, and politician who served as the 48th governor of Michigan from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Snyder previo ...

noted the importance of her sponsoring the Sand Dunes Protection Act and introducing the 1983 Quality of Life Bonding Bill for cleanup of areas. In 1990, Binsfeld was selected to be the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate

John Engler John Mathias Engler (born October 12, 1948) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 46th Governor of Michigan from 1991 to 2003. A member of the Republican Party, he later worked for Business Roundtable, where ''The Hill'' c ...

. She took office as the state's lieutenant governor in 1991 and served until early 1999. As lieutenant governor, she headed the Binsfeld Children's Commission. Its investigation of issues related to adoption and the child welfare system produced 197 proposed reforms, including for adoption and other laws. The state legislature passed 20 laws drafted by Binsfeld and her staff to make policy to implement these recommendations. Binsfeld died at age 89 in

, on January 12, 2014, in hospice.State official says former Michigan Lt. Governor Connie Binsfeld dies Sunday at age 89
, ''Daily Journal'', January 12, 2014

Personal life

She was married to John Binsfeld. They had five children together: John, Greg, Susan, Paul and Mike.

Legacy and honors

*1977, named Michigan Mother of the Year *1990, Binsfeld received the Sister Ann Joachim Award from her alma mater,

Siena Heights University Siena Heights University (SHU) is a private Roman Catholic university in Adrian, Michigan. It was founded by the Adrian Dominican Sisters in 1919. History The institution was founded for women in 1919 as St. Joseph's College by the Adrian Domini ...

. *In 1998, she was named to the

Michigan Women's Hall of Fame The Michigan Women's Hall of Fame (MWHOF) honors distinguished women, both historical and contemporary, who have been associated with the U.S. state of Michigan. The hall of fame was founded in 1983 by Gladys Beckwith and is sponsored by the Michi ...

.Associated Press, "Former Michigan Lt. Gov. Connie Binsfeld dies"
*She also received Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from

University of Notre Dame The University of Notre Dame du Lac, known simply as Notre Dame ( ) or ND, is a private Catholic university, Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, outside the city of South Bend, Indiana, South Bend. French priest Edward Sorin fo ...

Northern Michigan University Northern Michigan University (Northern Michigan, Northern or NMU) is a public university in Marquette, Michigan. It was established in 1899 by the Michigan Legislature as Northern State Normal School. In 1963, the state designated Northern a uni ...

, Grand Valley State University, and other institutions of higher learning.Obituary: "Lt. Gov. Connie Binsfeld"
Reynolds-Jonkoff Funeral Home, January 2014

References

External links

Lt. Gov. Connie Binsfeld
State of Michigan profile]
"Connie Binsfeld"
Notable Women of NW Michigan
"Lt. Gov. Connie Binsfeld Obituary"
Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, January 2014 * {{DEFAULTSORT:Binsfeld, Connie 1924 births 2014 deaths People from Munising, Michigan People from Leelanau County, Michigan Siena Heights University alumni County commissioners in Michigan Republican Party members of the Michigan House of Representatives Republican Party Michigan state senators Lieutenant Governors of Michigan Women state constitutional officers of Michigan Women state legislators in Michigan 20th-century American politicians 20th-century American women politicians 21st-century American women

Biography

Personal life

Legacy and honors

See also

References

External links