Biography of
Elaine Marshall
Secretary of State
for North Carolina

Elaine Marshall made history in January of 1997 when she was sworn in as North Carolina's Secretary of State, becoming the first woman ever elected to statewide executive office.

She continues to make history as she transforms her office. The Secretary of State's office today is a major engine for job creation in North Carolina, and a key law enforcement agency protecting consumers, investors, and charitable givers against securities fraud and financial scams. North Carolina is now a national leader in these important fields.

Elaine learned about public and community service at an early age from her father, who for many years was a volunteer fire fighter and community leader, and her mother, who was the organist in the family's small rural church for more than 60 years.

Elaine remembers, "When I grew up and became the owner of a small business, I discovered that if I wanted a line of credit, my husband had to go to the bank and apply for the loan -- because I was a woman. I witnessed other instances of inequity and discrimination in my community, directed at men, women, children, and families who would have little chance of realizing their dreams.

"So as a lawyer, I stood up for people without a voice. As a citizen, I went to the General Assembly and took on the insurance industry to get coverage for mammograms and Pap Smears. As a member of the North Carolina Senate, I got needed healthcare services, especially for our state's rural areas. And as Secretary of State, I have made protecting consumers and creating jobs my top priorities.

"I've always believed it's my obligation to listen to people -- to hear their hopes and dreams -- and to find ways I can help make those dreams come true."

Elaine was born in rural Lineboro, Maryland in November of 1945. As a teenager she was actively involved in 4-H and her local church. In 1968 she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Textiles and Clothing from the University of Maryland.

She earned her law degree from Campbell University in 1981, where she was selected for inclusion in Who's Who Among American Universities and Colleges. She has received honorary doctorates from Meredith College and Lees-McRae College.

Elaine distinguished herself as a tough advocate for her clients in the courtroom, where she represented women who were victims of domestic violence. She has been admitted to practice before all North Carolina courts, the US District courts in the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina, the US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. She is a member of the NC State Bar, the NC Bar Association, the NC Association of Women Attorneys, and the Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity.

Elaine has been a small business owner as well as a practicing attorney. Earlier in her career she was an instructor at Lenoir Community College and Johnston Technical College and a teacher in the Lenoir County School System.

In 1993-1994, Elaine served in the North Carolina Senate, representing the 15th Senate District. In the Senate, she was a powerful advocate for improving healthcare in North Carolina.
She is a longtime resident and community leader in Lillington. She has served as Chair of the Harnett County Democratic Party, President of the Democratic Women of Harnett County, and National Secretary of the Young Democrats of America.

As Secretary of State, Elaine has focused her office on seven key objectives:

• Creating jobs by cutting the cost of doing business for companies and individuals.
• Standing up to special interests by working for strong reform of our lobbying laws.
• Protecting consumers, retailers, and manufacturers from counterfeit products.
• Defending investors and charitable givers against scam artists by proposing and enforcing tough new laws.
• Helping North Carolina companies compete more effectively with a new system of free public records.
• Safeguarding people from financial crimes through increased financial literacy.
• Easing end of life decisions for North Carolina families by creating an online repository for end-of-life records.

Much of Elaine's work as Secretary of State has centered on improving information technology and making state records, databases, and other information available to investors, companies, and individuals quickly and free of charge. Her efforts have made North Carolina one the most affordable places to do business in the United States.

The Center for Digital Government summed up Elaine's record in putting technology to work for people:

"Secretary of State Elaine Marshall has not only blazed a trail when it comes to the delivery of e-government services to her customers and constituents, but also she has gone out of her way to ensure ubiquitous access to those services no matter where citizens live in the state.

"We believe Elaine Marshall is an excellent example of first-rate Information Technology leadership when it comes to managing projects involving 21st century digital democracy."

As a Constitutional officer, Elaine is a member of the Council of State, which is headed by the Governor. It is the highest-ranking Executive branch body in state government. She also serves on the NC Board of Economic Development, the Board of Directors of the NC Institute of Political Leadership, the Women’s Forum of NC, and the Board of Directors of the NC 4-H Development Fund.

For ten years, Elaine served on the Board of Directors of the Harnett County United Way. She is a former member of the Board of Trustees of Meredith College and the Board of Directors of the NC Center for Public Policy Research and is the Immediate Past President of the National Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council. She is former Chair of the E-Government Committee of the NC Information Resource Management Commission. Elaine is a longtime 4-H and Extension volunteer and a member of the Harnett County Business and Professional Women.

Elaine is a member of the Divine Street United Methodist Church in Dunn. She is married to Bill Holdford and has five step-children and seven grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys ACC football and basketball, cooking, gardening, and sailing.