A strong voice for women’s issues and rights, The Honorable Connie Morella has been a leader in women’s issues throughout her legislative career and continues to advocate in her “retirement”.
Born in Massachusetts, Connie Albanese attended Boston University, graduating in 1951. After her marriage to Anthony Morella 1954, they moved to Montgomery County where her first job in education was teaching at Poolesville High School. Connie and Anthony raised their own three children and helped raise her sister’s six children. After receiving her MA from American University in 1967, Connie taught at Montgomery College’s Rockville campus from 1970 to 1986. She was a founding member of the Montgomery County Commission for Women and successfully ran for the Maryland General Assembly in1978. She served in the House of Delegates through 1987 when she ran successfully for House of Representatives where she served for 16 years.
Morella built her political career by emphasizing those issues of greatest concern to her constituents – advocating for women’s issues, federal employees, technology, space, and international issues. She was also known for the many hours she spent in her district attending functions, listening, and making friends.
Connie was known for “crossing the aisle” and being able to find supporters from both parties for her legislation. In July 2003, President Bush (R) nominated Connie to be U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris. President Obama (D) appointed her to the American Battle Monuments Commission.
Now retired but never “retiring” Connie lives in Bethesda and believes that we need to look to the future by training our young women and by breaking as many “glass ceilings” as needed to achieve equity for women.
To view a Poolesville Senior’s interview of Connie Morella, click on A Conversation with the Honorable Connie Morella – YouTube