A Special Thank You to the First Lady of Alabama, Dianne Bentley
What can a shy mother of four and grandmother of eight do when she is not accustomed to being the spotlight, speaking in public, or challenging a cause? She can delve deeply into her beliefs, quietly access the needs of others, and formulate plans to deliver incredible outcomes that change the face of our state.
In the past five years, the Alabama First Lady has conquered amazing feats of which many may not be aware. One understands the traditional role of the First Lady, supporting the Governor and accompanying him to numerous appearances, organizing dinners and receptions and successfully and respectfully going about her business as the official hostess for our state just as her fifty plus predecessors have done. Yet, Mrs. Bentley has initiated programs that will continue to change the lives of many Alabamians well after she has retired back into her private life.
Domestic Violence Prevention
Since 2011, domestic violence prevention has been a top priority for Mrs. Bentley. During her time as First Lady, Mrs. Bentley has visited all domestic violence centers across the state, spoken with victims and worked with the Alabama Coalition against Domestic Violence (ACADV) to help address the overwhelming need for victims and their children. Thanks to a partnership with the Alabama Department of Corrections, since 2012, Mrs. Bentley has collected more than 15,000 cell phones for HopeLine from Verizon to assist domestic violence shelters and victims of abuse.
The First Lady Dianne Bentley Domestic Violence Prevention Legislation was sponsored by State Senator Clay Scofield, (R-Guntersville) and State Representative Mike Jones, (R-Andalusia). This legislation, House Bill 320, was passed on June o4, 2015 and will modernize domestic violence laws, increase state funds toward lifesaving services for victims and their children and strengthen victim protection through law enforcement and judicial provisions.
This legislation establishes a structure of accountability and standards in service provision for ACADV through the Alabama Department of Economic Development and Community Affairs (ADECA). State funding appropriated would be managed and disbursed by ADECA with the establishment of a Domestic Violence Trust Fund.
A Domestic Violence Capital Improvement Program would also be implemented through this legislation. This is a needs-based, competitive grant process used for shelter facility improvements and expansions. Shelters would be evaluated by ADECA, which would then distribute grants to facilities in the most need of repair
The final part of the legislation will strengthen the provisions relating to domestic violence crime scenes, protection orders and court proceedings. Victims will be informed of their local domestic violence center’s contact information, its services and their legal rights in pursuing criminal or civil charges against the abuser. Police reports will be filed regardless of arrest and shared with local domestic violence centers. Judicial officers will have strengthened measures in court proceedings to better protect domestic violence victims and greater punishment alternatives for those who violate any protective order, conditional release or bail.
Adoption through Foster Care
Mrs. Bentley has chosen to support foster care as First Lady in hopes that the people of Alabama will consider adoption. She feels it is important that all children in Alabama have a forever home and a family with whom to share their life. It has been her passion to visit Alabama’s youth and look for ways to make a difference in their lives. The Bentley’s have four sons, two of whom are adopted but they have been loved so long no one remembers which two. She has headlined events, discussed this important issue with the media, and has made it a focal point of her time as First Lady. Every community, every woman, every man, every child deserve to be loved and cared for, and our first lady has provided the leadership to do it.
2014 Year of Alabama State Parks
During her time as First Lady, Mrs. Bentley promoted Alabama by venturing to the state’s tourist attractions and reading to school children along the way. In 2014’s Year of Alabama Parks, the state parks received national attention with her campaign, “Mrs. Bentley’s Bucket List.” When traveling, she also read books by her favorite Alabama children’s authors to elementary students. She shared with children the importance of reading while informing them of Alabama getaways with Tourism’s Alabama Road Trips book.
Mrs. Bentley stated, “As the First Lady of Alabama, and most importantly as a mom and grandmother, family will always be a top priority. It is my passion to see Alabama families enjoy healthy relationships and spend time with one another without the distractions of ringing cell phones and never-ending to-do lists.”
Mrs. Bentley has repeatedly shared that Alabama State Parks provide families and friends fantastic getaways in a variety of our state’s natural environments. Whether you are sticking your toes in the white sand of the Gulf, exploring a cave below the earth’s surface or hiking through mountains to the state’s highest point, all 22 parks reveal Alabama’s beauty while offering visitors a recreational retreat.
Literacy Program
Each year, Scholastic and Alabama First Lady Dianne Bentley have donated 500 books to promote her literacy initiative. Mrs. Bentley selects five schools across the state to visit and gives 100 of the books to each school library. The program, known as “The First Lady 500” has been a huge success and her love of reading to students has become a highlight of the year for students throughout the state.
Preservation of the Historic Alabama Governor’s Mansion
First Lady Dianne Bentley has utilized her role in many incredible endeavors for the people of Alabama. One of them ensures the Governor’s Mansion will be preserved and remain historically accurate. In 2011 the First Lady Dianne Bentley Mansion Preservation Act created an authority responsible for maintaining and restoring the 108 year old house to reflect its original heritage (House Bill 437.) It also required the Governor’s Mansion to be accessible to the public with tours.
In addition to the Governor’s Mansion Authority, the “Friends of the Governor’s Mansion” have also aided Mrs. Bentley in working to preserve this beautiful home and historical building in Montgomery. The governing board’s mission is to “protect the historical and architectural integrity of the mansion’s exterior, interior, contents and grounds.” The Governor’s Mansion Complex occupies one square block in Montgomery’s Garden District neighborhood. It includes the Governor’s Mansion and the John Blue-Hill House.
Our First Lady, Dianne Bentley has modelled her religious beliefs of empowering others to care for those less fortunate by giving a voice to those that have been silenced through violence, bringing awareness to the Creator’s majestic topography of Alabama and assisting with the protection and preservation of our historical landmarks, and much more. A genteel Lady of petite stature, she has been a Goliath of strength in the face of adversity, carried a torch with a message and solution for those in need, and in the midst of everyday life, made Alabama proud.
On behalf of the people of Alabama, I wish offer my sincere thanks to the First Lady of Alabama, Dianne Bentley, for your incredible works. The seeds you have planted during your tenure will continue to grow and manifest themselves for years to come.
Dr. Ken Rivenbark
Huntsville, Alabama
Article Resources:
http://altoday.com/archives/925-woman-of-influence-profile-first-lady-dianne-bentley
https://legiscan.com/AL/bill/HB320/2015
http://governor.alabama.gov/first-ladys-blog/hopeline-holidays/
http://governor.alabama.gov/first-ladys-blog/governors-mansion-preservation-act/
http://governor.alabama.gov/first-ladys-blog/mrs-bentleys-bucket-list/