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Olympia Snowe

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  • Bipartisan Leader in Congress
  • U.S. Senator (R-ME) (1995-2013
  • Member of U.S. House of Representatives (1979-1995)
  • Senior Fellow, Bipartisan Policy Center; Co-chairs Commission on Political Reform

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Olympia Snowe is recognized as a policy thought-leader in Washington. She is also an inspiration for the barriers she overcame to become one of the most powerful women in Washington. The Washington Post summed up Senator Snowe's powerful legacy as a politician, "with several historic distinctions to her name: She is the first woman in U.S. history to serve in both chambers of a state legislature and both chambers of Congress. She was the first Greek American woman to serve in Congress, the youngest Republican woman elected to the House and the first Republican woman to serve on the Senate Finance Committee." 

She made the decision not to seek a fourth term in the United States Senate when she arrived at a stark reality: that the excessive political polarization in Congress would not diminish in the short term.  As a result, she joined the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, to take her fight for bipartisanship in a different direction.  At the BPC, she serves as a Senior Fellow where she is able to harness her insider’s knowledge to promote change from outside of Congress.  

 


Olympia Snowe headshot
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Past Hosts Include:
  • UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
  • Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
  • Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts
  • University of Missouri, St. Louis
  • Princeton University
  • YWCA
  • Dentons
  • College of American Pathologists
  • City Arts
  • Oregon Historical Society
Rave Reviews About Olympia Snowe
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I just wanted to let you know that the event with Senator Snowe was fantastic! It was a pleasure to host her on campus and I appreciate all you did to make that happen.

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More rave reviews

"Senator Snowe gave a wonderful lecture to our faculty, staff, students, alumni and surrounding UNC community. Her topic, 'What’s Gone Wrong in Washington, and Why It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way', certainly resonated with every audience member and highlighted Senator Snowe’s skills and reputation as a consensus builder in Washington. What is more, Senator Snowe is so gracious and engaging. This was one of the best lectures we have ever had at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School."

-UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

"Our event with Senator Snowe was incredibly successful. Senator Snowe was so generous with her time, and the Committee really enjoyed the dinner and reception with her. I have heard so many positive remarks from students about her visit. Her speech was engaging and incredibly relevant given current sentiments about Congress."

-St. Olaf

"A very belated thank you for your help with this year’s Spring Luncheon! Senator Snowe was a big hit, and everything went exactly as planned."

-Planned Parenthood of Southern New England

"The senator's remarks were very inspiring (and funny!) and her being there to meet and greet made all the difference. People stuck around since she was there, and I think it helped us cultivate a lot of our relationships with some of our VIPs."

-Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts

"On behalf of the Center for Ethics in Public Life, please allow me to extend my most heartfelt thank you for your keynote speech, and your generosity with your time this past Friday. Your speech provided a central focus point for the conference around which I was able to build a fascinating conversation. Overall, I think the discussion was substantive, fruitful, open, and cordial. Not only the legislative dysfunction panel, but the local government dysfunction panel were necessary across the aisle conversations that doesn't happen nearly enough. Not only does this bode well for such conferences in the future, but it bodes well for the functionality of politics, given that it is precisely this kind of communication among all elements of local government that seemed to be the most recommended avenue toward a highly functional process at all levels of government. In particular I want to thank you for your warmth and genuineness in interacting with our conference attendees. And your kind words for me were a boon in the middle of a stressful day! It wouldn't have been the same conference without you."

-University of Missouri, St. Louis

"The Senator's visit went seamlessly and we were absolutely delighted to have her visit the school! I cannot tell you how much wonderful feedback we received from our students! Everyone, students, faculty and staff, thoroughly enjoyed her and her public talk could not have been better."

-Princeton University

"Senator Snowe has been receiving rave reviews; she really connected with our audience and was very gracious to everyone that she met. It was a pleasure to have her in Salt Lake City!"

-YWCA

"Senator Snowe was fantastic! Everyone enjoyed her."

-Dentons

"Everything went great and according to plan! Our members really enjoyed hearing Sen. Snowe's perspective what needs to be improved on regarding the working relationships in Congress. It was the perfect counterbalance to the other speaker we had, Chris Matthews. She also impressed a lot of people by sticking around almost 30 minutes after her speech to answer questions. Our members really appreciated that."

-College of American Pathologists

"Things went extremely well with Senator Snowe last night. She was a big hit."

-City Arts

"The event was a huge success! Full house, great questions, and the Senator was a wonderful speaker! Everyone was so excited to talk with her (and she so graciously obliged) that it was hard to shut down the post-lecture reception!"

-Oregon Historical Society

"She is absolutely delightful, and everyone she met walked away raving. Quite a hit!"

-Women + Girls Research Alliance

"Not quite sure where to begin with the accolades for Senator Snowe! We had a packed house, full of inspired, energetic community leaders who absolutely loved her message. Our phones are ringing off the hook and our e-mails are exploding this morning with compliments on her speech and her message. This is the booster shot our city needed to move forward in a collaborative way. We are so excited to continue the conversation and use her inspiration to have deeper talks about how we can address women’s poverty in our city. Thank you, thank you, for all the hard work and preparation you put into this event. You were terrific to work with and we really appreciated how her message was tailored so perfectly to our audience. It couldn’t have gone better."

-The Women's Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

"Senator Snowe was fantastic. She delivered a great speech, she addressed every question, and she even stayed past the finish time to answer additional questions from students. The event was a success. We are very pleased."

-Brown University

"We had a wonderful time with Olympia Snowe! We estimate around 2200 people heard her presentation, about 800 in the auditorium and an additional 1600 at our remote sites. It was a large and appreciative audience. She was well received and provided an insightful look into congress: past, present and future. Everyone also appreciated her knowing the history of our particular area and political leaders. The luncheon conversation was also very enjoyable. She is a lovely person with an incredible depth of experience and knowledge and we were thrilled to have her on the January Series and our campus."

-Calvin College

"Senator Snowe was a HUGE hit. Very nice indeed! Here are some comments you might enjoy: 'She was good; nice going on TriZetto's part'; 'This was the highlight of the morning.'; 'Senator Snowe knocked it out of the park with her 'behind the scenes' account of the birth of PPACA'; 'Always great'; 'Outstanding insider's view: frightening but insightful'; 'Senator Snowe was excellent.'"

-TriZetto

"Thank you so much for making Senator Snowe's visit possible. She was such a pleasure to work with. She was so generous with her time and energy. Everyone at the lectures, dinner, and lunch has had such wonderful things to say about her remarks and their time with her."

-Rutgers University

"She was wonderful! Yes, she came to our reception and stayed for over an hour plus, came to our session in the am and stayed a little afterwards as well. We all gleamed so much from her talk and she had a number of questions! Thanks and once again, a home run."

-TriZetto

"Senator Snowe was lovely to host and provided a timely scratch for our current political itch. Although the topic of Washington gridlock is a frustrating one, our audience truly appreciated the full career of knowledge she has to share and the dedication she continues to show the American people."

-The Springfield Public Forum

"The event was great and Senator Snowe was very well received."

-Deutsche Bank
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In Conversation clip - The New Do Nothing Congress | Harvard Law [3:06] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Olympia Snowe
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Telling It like It Is: Will Congress Rise to Meet the Great Challenge of Creating an Economic Revival?

Many of the major issues facing America have remained unresolved in Congress due to hyper-partisanship from overhauling the tax code to health care and entitlement reforms, to spending cuts and the debt reduction, to regulatory reform and immigration. As Congress fails to grapple with monumental and ...

Many of the major issues facing America have remained unresolved in Congress due to hyper-partisanship from overhauling the tax code to health care and entitlement reforms, to spending cuts and the debt reduction, to regulatory reform and immigration. As Congress fails to grapple with monumental and wide-ranging policy challenges, meanwhile American families and businesses continue to confront uncertainty resulting from Washington's unwillingness to work together to solve major problems. With more than three decades of policy experience and knowing how Washington does – and doesn’t – work, Senator OLYMPIA SNOWE has keen and contemporary insights on Congress and the key issues in this election year.

What's Gone Wrong in Washington, and Why It Doesn't Have to Be This Way

Having witnessed government’s greatest potential as well as its capacity for dysfunction, no one is more adept at explaining what’s gone wrong and illustrating why it doesn’t have to be this way. As a key participant in every major issue of the past decade and beyond, few can speak with greater firs ...

Having witnessed government’s greatest potential as well as its capacity for dysfunction, no one is more adept at explaining what’s gone wrong and illustrating why it doesn’t have to be this way. As a key participant in every major issue of the past decade and beyond, few can speak with greater firsthand knowledge as to how policy-making has virtually been abandoned as a matter of practice in our government, and has now devolved into a series of gotcha votes for political leverage. But as Senator OLYMPIA SNOWE makes clear, the forces of polarization can be defeated.

Her powerful message, delivered with 34 years of insider experience in Congress, centers on how we reached this point and, most importantly, concrete ideas on how we can return the Congress to its past ability to reach consensus.

Anything is Possible: From a Tragic Childhood to the Pinnacle of Power – How to Overcome Obstacles and Make a Difference

Often saying she’s been a minority within a minority within a minority as a moderate Republican woman who’s served in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, Senator OLYMPIA SNOWE recounts how she has been no stranger to challenges in life, both political and personal.  She speaks of how, having lost both h ...

Often saying she’s been a minority within a minority within a minority as a moderate Republican woman who’s served in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, Senator OLYMPIA SNOWE recounts how she has been no stranger to challenges in life, both political and personal. 

She speaks of how, having lost both her parents before the age of 10, she realized early in life that there are two choices: either become overwhelmed by tragedies, or view them as temporary and not permanent. It’s a lesson that re-emerged in her mid-20’s when her first husband, who was serving in the Maine Legislature at the time, was killed in a car accident – and she came to the conclusion that she would run to fill his seat. And she relates how her loss also brought home the importance of women’s issues as she asked herself, “What do other women do, especially women with children?”

Drawing on a remarkable 34 years of experience in Washington, Senator Snowe offers audiences a rare glimpse into how she and other women in the House and Senate have been able to combine forces regardless of their party labels, to overcome hurdles and make a difference for women across America. She brings a unique perspective on how women can succeed and contribute even in one of the most exclusive, male-dominated institutions – and how their contributions and collaborations in Congress actually offer a template for making government work again. At the same time, her entire life’s story is an incredible and inspiring testament to the fact that any obstacle in any sphere of life can be overcome – and truly anything is possible.

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Speaker News

Olympia Snowe is a political voice that speaks to the need for bipartisanship and coming together, both in D.C. and around the dinner table

Only the fourth woman in history to be elected to both houses of Congress and the first woman in American history to serve in both houses of the state legislature and both houses of Congress, OLYMPIA SNOWE sheds light on today’s political climate and argues for the need for bipartisan solutions. At Duke’s Crown Lecture in Ethics, Snowe addressed hundreds of faculty, students, and community members in her keynote, “Politics and Our Potential: Can Congress Rise to Meet its Obligation to Govern.” The group raved: “Dysfunction, partisanship, and gridlock dominate the headlines. Sen. Snowe, a political insider who is now out of office, is uniquely positioned to talk to us about coming together to solve our common problems….”

At both virtual and in-person events, Snowe is the ideal person to speak to the need and desire for Americans to come together.

Watch Olympia Snowe speak at Harvard Law School >>

Women Making History: The Olympia Snowe Leadership Institute coaches young women in leadership

40 years of public service taught former United States Senator OLYMPIA SNOWE just how critical it is to have women with strong ideas and voices at the table, inspiring her to found the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute. Since 2015, the Institute has delivered a unique program rooted in the themes: “My Values” (10th grade), “My Voice” (11th grade), and “My Vision" (12th grade). Snowe says, “Olympia’s Leaders will make meaningful change in our world, and together we will continue to support, challenge, and guide them toward their bright futures.”

Watch Olympia Snowe speak at Harvard Law School >>

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Books by Olympia Snowe
Fighting for Common Ground: How We Can Fix the Stalemate in Congress

Fighting for Common Ground: How We Can Fix the Stalemate in Congress

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Press & Media
Olympia Snowe hosts luncheon for Maine's future women leaders - Fox 23
Political Brew: Public power, paying long-term care workers, and Olympia Snowe on 'semi-open' primaries - News Center Maine
More than 150 young women leaders graduate from Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute - Central Maine
'Did I know I was going to serve 40 years in public office? No': Former Sen. Snowe talks career in politics - Duke Chronicle
National and Local Advocates of Planned Parenthood Host Progress on the Prairie Event - KVRR News
Olympia Snowe: A return to order in Congress means changing the rules - Washington Post
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Ideas for the Meeting Planner
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Biography

Olympia Snowe’s dedicated work in the U.S. Senate garnered her nationwide recognition as a leading policymaker in Washington. In 2005, she was named the 54th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine. In 2006, Time magazine named her one of the top ten U.S. Senators. Calling her “The Caretaker,” it wrote of Snowe: “Because of her centrist views and eagerness to get beyond partisan point scoring, Maine Republican Olympia Snowe is in the center of every policy debate in Washington, but while Snowe is a major player on national issues, she is also known as one of the most effective advocates for her constituents.”

With her election in 1994, Olympia J. Snowe became only the second woman Senator in history to represent Maine, following the late Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, who served from 1949-1973. In November 2006, she was re-elected to a third six-year term in the United States Senate with 74 percent of the vote.

Before her election to the Senate, Olympia Snowe represented Maine’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for sixteen years. Senator Snowe is only the fourth woman in history to be elected to both houses of Congress and the first woman in American history to serve in both houses of state legislature and both houses of Congress. Elected in 1978 at the age of 31, Olympia Snowe is the second youngest Republican woman, and the first Greek-American woman ever, to be elected to Congress. She has won more federal elections in Maine than any other person since World War II.

Focusing her attention on efforts to build bipartisan consensus on key issues that matter to Maine and America, Snowe has built a reputation as one of the Congress’ leading moderates. In 1999, she was cited by Congressional Quarterly for her centrist leadership, and was co-chair with Senator Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana) of a bipartisan, consensus building group in the Senate called the Common Ground Coalition, a forum for communication and cooperation between Senate Democrats and Republicans.

During her time in the Senate, Senator Snowe worked extensively on a number of issues, such as budget and fiscal responsibility; education, including student financial aid and education technology; national security; women’s issues; health care, including prescription drug coverage for Medicare recipients; welfare reform; oceans and fisheries issues; and campaign finance reform.

During her tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, she co-chaired the Congressional Caucus on Women’s issues for ten years, and provided leadership in establishing the Office of Women’s Health at the National Institutes of Health. She also served as a member of the House Budget Committee; of House Foreign Affairs Committee, where she was Ranking Republican on the Subcommittee on International Operations; and of former House Select Committee on Aging, where she was Ranking Republican on the Subcommittee on Human Services.

She served in both Houses of the Maine Legislature, first elected to the Maine House,  representing her home town of Auburn,  in 1973 to the seat left vacant by the death of her first husband, the late Peter Snowe, in an auto accident. She was re-elected in 1974, and was elected to the Maine Senate representing Androscoggin County in 1976.

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