[© ASSOCIATED PRESS]
By BRUCE SMITH
CHARLESTON — Jenny Sanford, in perhaps one of her last official duties as South Carolina’s first lady, said Thursday that not enough women are involved in politics in the state.
She received a standing ovation as she took the podium at a state GOP women’s luncheon, telling the audience of about 200 that women have made strides since she came to the state but more needs to be done.
Jenny Sanford filed for divorce last year after Gov. Mark Sanford admitted to an affair with an Argentine woman. The divorce will be finalized next month.
“I was honored to serve this area first as a congressional spouse, and I’m honored right now to be serving as first lady, at least for a little while longer,” she said to scattered laughter from the crowd.
Before becoming governor, Sanford, with his wife overseeing his campaigns, was elected to Congress from the 1st Congressional District on the South Carolina coast.
Jenny Sanford, a Georgetown-educated, former Wall Street vice president, said in the two decades she has been in the state, women have advanced in both business and politics.
“But we still have so far to go,” she said.
Three former first ladies of Republican governors also were honored – Mary Wood Beasley, Iris Campbell and Anne Edwards.