First Spouses Champion Initiatives to Foster Opportunity and Strengthen Communities Across States

OKLAHOMA CITY - The National Governors Association (NGA) today convened first spouses from across the country during its 2026 NGA Summer Meeting for a discussion on "Building the Dream: Access, Opportunity, and Hope." First spouses highlighted the ways their unique roles contribute to the broader framework of NGA Chair Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt's NGA Chair's Initiative "Reigniting the American Dream" by expanding access to opportunity, fostering hope and strengthening communities.

At the first-of-its-kind first spouse panel convened by NGA, Anita McBride, director of the First Ladies Initiative at American University and former chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush, moderated a discussion with Oklahoma first lady Sarah Stitt, Maryland first lady Dawn Moore, North Carolina first lady Anna Stein and Utah first lady Abby Cox. The panelists highlighted the unique role first spouses have in public life, unpacking ways they serve alongside governors and use their platforms to advance initiatives that help their constituents realize the American Dream.

"Taking this moment and really reflecting on who we are, where we've come from, what the founders' dreams were for our country, and what they knew is: it was the responsibility of each of the next generations to do better than they did, and first spouses are critical partners in this work," said Anita McBride, director of the First Ladies Initiative at American University and former chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush.

"The power of a story can blow out of the water all the statistics, all the science, all the neuroscience. If you have a story that people can connect with, where they can say, 'Look, they're talking about that. Look, they were able to overcome those things,' that is very powerful," said Oklahoma first lady Sarah Stitt

"I take the platform that I have as a connector and a convener to be able to bring people together who do the work. They are the ones who give us the solutions that they want for their communities and actually have the answers to our most entrenched problems," said Maryland first lady Dawn Moore.

"I saw an opportunity to work on the issue of stigma because it's about messaging. My office doesn't have a budget, but what I do have is the ability to stand in front of a group of people and talk about substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and incarceration - and try to tackle these issues head-on and destigmatize them," said North Carolina first lady Anna Stein.

"Part of what we've been doing is being intentional to involve and help the next generation understand how important service and volunteering is," said Utah first lady Abby Cox. It really is about our physical health, our mental health. It's all these positive outcomes that we're talking about: if we're serving, if we're giving back, if we're helping."

NGA's program for first spouses provides resources and support to governors' spouses and partners as they design and implement the initiatives they choose to champion in their states and territories. NGA will also hold meetings for first spouses at the association's annual meetings to provide a forum for first spouses to meet with philanthropic, business and government leaders.

"Our nation's first spouses play a unique and often underrecognized role supporting governors in their work improving the lives of their constituents," said NGA CEO Brandon Tatum. "NGA has long worked closely with first spouses, and we're proud that this year's Summer Meeting features, for the first time, a panel designed specifically to elevate the voices of first spouses. The discussion will offer great insight into the different roles of first spouses, focusing especially on how the initiatives they're leading are making a meaningful difference in the states. First spouses are true public servants, and NGA is honored to highlight the significant work and causes they're championing at the state level."

Check out these resources to learn more about the country's first spouses and NGA's work to elevate the initiatives they are leading in their states and territories:

• NGA Directory of First Spouse Biographies
• NGA Holds 2026 Convening for Governors' Schedulers, Executive Assistants, Residence Managers and First Spouses' Staff
• First Spouses Meet with Second Lady, Convene at 2026 NGA Winter Meeting
• Highlighting America's History & Strengthening Civic Engagement