Eloise Anderson

The Honorable Eloise Anderson
2nd Wisconsin Secretary of Children and Families
Incumbent
Assumed office January 11, 2011
Governor	Scott Walker
Preceded by	Reginald Bicha
California Director of Social Services
In office 1992–1998
Governor	Pete Wilson
Succeeded by	Rita Saenz
Wisconsin Community Services Administrator Department of Health Services
In office 1988–1992
Governor	Tommy Thompson
Personal details
Born	(1945-03-21) March 21, 1945
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	University of Toledo, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Website	Government website
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1972-1977

Eloise Anderson is the Wisconsin Secretary of Children and Families, serving since January 3, 2011.^[1][2] Conservative radio host Charlie Sykes has referred to Anderson as "A Conservative Warrior in Fight Against Poverty."^[3][4]

Biography

Career

Anderson worked as a social worker in Milwaukee, Wisconsin before joining state government. She served as director of the California Department of Social Services. During her time in California, the Los Angeles Times referred to Anderson as "The Queen of Responsibility" and "an outspoken champion of welfare reform."^[5] Anderson served on the Diocese of Sacramento School Board and the National Poverty Center's National Advisory Board. In October 2006, Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Anderson to the Little Hoover Commission. She served on the commission until 2010.^[6] Anderson has also previously served as Administrator of the Division of Community Services at the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services from 1988-1992. Upon her appointment as Secretary of Children and Families, Anderson pledged to weed out fraud in the state's child care subsidy and other programs. As secretary, she is a member of the cabinet of Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker.^[7] Anderson has been called an "important proponent of welfare reform" in the United States.^[8][9][10]

Anderson spoke at the Republican National Convention in 1996, endorsing Bob Dole for President of the United States. In her speech, she stated "Welfare is a tragedy. It has outlived its usefulness. It runs men out of families, leaving children without fathers. We have lost our sense of duty to marriage."^[11]

Anderson has held a number of private-sector positions including President of Job Wave America, Director of the Project for the American Family at the Claremont Institute, and as President of Anderson Resource Management Services.^[12] Anderson was named by the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives to the National Advisory Board on Welfare Indicators and was honored with the 1996 National Governors Association award for outstanding state official.^[13]

In April 2015, Anderson testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources.^[14] Secretary Anderson has also testified to the House Budget Committee. In 1999, Anderson was featured in George Will's book, The Woven Figure: Conservatism and America's Fabric.^[15][16] In May 2016, Anderson delivered the commencement address at Cardinal Stritch University.^[17][18]

Personal

Secretary Anderson has two adult children and lives in Marshall, Wisconsin with her husband, Patrick.^[19]

References