Dana Perino, once the voice behind the podium as President George W. Bush’s press secretary offered a chance to look back on how far she’s come and the key people who helped her along the way.
With more years of work behind her than ahead, Perino says she feels it’s the perfect time to push forward, make an impact, and give back. As she reflects, three women stand out for the lasting influence they had on her life: her mother, her first boss on Capitol Hill, and a former Secretary of State.
Her mother, Janice Perino, was a woman whose love for her daughters came before anything else. “She lived for us,” she said. Janice balanced a career in marketing and administration while still finding time to make ends meet by transcribing medical records.
“My mom, Janice Perino, lived for her two daughters — we came first. She also worked in marketing and administration. She was the fastest typist I’d ever seen and made extra money transcribing medical records. I could fall asleep to her steady tapping on the keyboards.”
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“My mom and dad would spend weekends helping resettle refugees from the Soviet Union in the Denver area through the Lutheran church. My sister and I tagged along. We delivered used washers and dryers that had been donated, helped them learn how to ride the bus, and gave them guidance about life in America.”
“Those are some of my fondest memories. I learned about compassion and patriotism during those weekends, and that gave me a good foundation for the work I chose to do.”
The other women responsible for her growth
After reflecting on her mother’s lasting influence, Dana Perino also spoke about two other women who played pivotal roles in shaping her career.
Holly Propst, chief of staff to the late Rep. Dan Schaefer of Colorado, gave Perino her first opportunity as a spokesperson — a role she admitted she stepped into without much experience. “She taught me that to be a good press secretary, you have to understand the policy,” Perino said.
Determined to learn, she threw herself into issues like climate change, tax policy, and defense. Propst would often improve her press releases with thoughtful edits, and the trust she placed in Perino left a lasting impression. “I still try to follow her management style today.”
Another strong influence was former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Perino admired Rice’s grace, strength, and conviction. One moment that stood out was in the Situation Room when Perino was preparing to brief the press.
Sensing her hesitation, Rice simply said, “May I walk with you?” and helped her think through how to explain the issue clearly. In another memorable moment, Perino watched President George W. Bush firmly back Rice, telling frustrated foreign visitors, “Don’t ever think that what she says isn’t coming from me.” That kind of support, Perino noted, was a powerful example of true leadership — and one she’s never forgotten.
“Finally, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice — she combined compassion and substance and added powerful examples of grace and dignity. Her strength and conviction inspired me, as did her encouragement.”
