Nancy Keenan

Nancy Keenan became the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America in 2005.

"Before coming to NARAL Pro-Choice America, Nancy served as a Montana state legislator and State Superintendent of Public Instruction and ran a strong campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000. As Superintendent of Public Instruction, she brought Montana schools into the 21st century with a focus on technology in the classroom and creating opportunities for distance learning.  She earned the respect of her peers nationwide, serving as national president of the Council of Chief State School Officers.

"As a legislator, Nancy was the primary sponsor of the Presumption of Arrest in Domestic Abuse legislation and of the nation's first insurance legislation that outlawed the use of gender to establish rates for health care and other insurance coverage. Nancy showed the force of her pro-choice commitment and the strength of her personal leadership when she stood up to her Catholic Bishop in the face of excommunication.

"As a former elected official, Nancy understands the challenges candidates and office holders face on the campaign trail. She's run statewide in a so-called "red" state and has won.  Nancy is the first president of NARAL Pro-Choice America who has been elected to public office – a valuable asset to NARAL Pro-Choice America, known as the "political arm of the pro-choice movement."  Her campaign experiences make Nancy uniquely qualified to lead NARAL Pro-Choice America at such a critical time." 

Her electoral campaign was supported by MoveOn.


 * Director, People for the American Way