Introducing Mary Kaye Huntsman, First Lady of Utah
First Lady Mary Kaye Huntsman brings her long-standing devotion to children’s issues and service to others to Leadership. Since joining in 2005, she has supported a number of statewide prevention efforts.
In September 2006, Mrs. Huntsman and State officials launched a media campaign to combat underage drinking, with the emphasis on parental involvement.
Mrs. Huntsman has participated in SAMHSA’s underage drinking prevention campaigns. In 2006, she spoke at the Salt Lake City Town Hall meeting, which was also attended by the mayors ofSalt Lake City and South Salt Lake. The First Lady and Governor Huntsman also recorded tags for the Ad Council public service announcements. In 2005, Mrs. Huntsman led a SAMHSA Reach Out Now National Teach-In.
The First Lady is currently working on an initiative called “Power in You” that will serve schools throughout the State. This program focuses on the emotional aspect of life challenges and at-risk behavior in order to bring hope to teens and encourage them to fulfill their life and education potential.
In addition to her prevention work, Mrs. Huntsman has created nationally recognized service programs, among them the “Bag of Hope” program through the National Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a mentoring program to help children with emotional issues surrounding the diagnosis of diabetes. She currently serves as Honorary Chair of the Literacy Commission, the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and the Violence Against Women and Families Cabinet Council. She has twice co-chaired the annual “Speaking of Women’s Health” conference.
Governor and First Lady Huntsman have lived overseas, serving in the diplomatic corps and in business. Mrs. Huntsman was born in Florida and moved to Utah as a teenager. She and her husband have six children.