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Note: Carol Elaine Bieber Pence wrote the following on November 21, 1977...
I was born in New York and was raised mainly on Long Island. While in high school, I was active in Spanish and Latin clubs and in literary circles, serving as editor of the school newspaper and senior editor of the yearbook. I completed high school (college preparatory) in three years.
Following that, I lived in West Germany with my family, while my father, an Air Force officer, was stationed there. I spent almost three years living in the Munich and Kaiserslautern areas and while in Kaiserslautern; worked as an assistant librarian with the Air Force. During almost three years in West Germany, 1 traveled to Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, England, Scotland, Italy, Ireland, and throughout West Germany on vacations.
After our return to the United States, I spent a year working for two general practitioners as a medical assistant and then moved to Ohio where I began employment as a Federal Government civilian with the U.S. Air Force. I transferred from Ohio to West Germany as a secretary and worked in Wiesbaden, West Germany, for Air Force Intelligence for six years. During that time, I traveled to Denmark, Sweden, Yugoslavia, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Crete, Greece, Iran, India, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Norway, Liechtenstein, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, France, and again, throughout West Germany.
My husband and I were married in Basel, Switzerland, on April 22, 1969 and spent our honeymoon in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, and West Germany. One month after our marriage, we returned to the United States and lived in Los Angeles, California, while my husband earned two Masters degrees at the University of Southern California. During that time I continued working for the Air Force in Los Angeles. Following the awarding of his degrees, we were sent to Washington, D.C. and I continued working as an Executive Secretary for the Air Force at the Pentagon. I resigned in 1972 prior to the birth of our son, Jason, on March 22, 1972. I have been a wife and mother since that time.
Since Jason's birth, l have been an active volunteer with 'Family Life and Maternity Education, Inc.," a Lamaze family centered childbirth organization. I served as a registrar for over two years, as editor of its magazine for one and one half years, and as a founder of its "Totline" a parents' hotline and was one of the four writers of its Totline manual. (My husband was the originator of the name "Totline") I continue serving FLAME by being its newspaper clipping service, clipping any parent or child related
articles which would be of interest to the organization and its members. In addition, I have been an active volunteer with the Air Force Officers Wives Club of Washington, D.C., serving as a newcomers welcoming committee member and as a luncheon hostess for VIP (very important persons) guests. Also, I presently volunteer one day a week working in an Air Force Thrift Shop, the profits of which go to various local charities. This year I have become more involved in local politics and aside from financial support, served as a volunteer precinct worker in the Virginia elections. When time permits, I do freelance article writing.
In addition, I make most of my own clothes and have made clothes for our son and my husband, as well as having made most of the curtains and draperies in our own home and our rental units. I also enjoy reading, knitting, cooking, reupholstering and antique collecting. For self-enrichment, I enjoy taking adult education classes ranging from reupholstery, gourmet cooking to sewing and craft classes. During my stays in Germany, I could read, write, speak and understand German fairly well; unfortunately, I have lost most of my proficiency from lack of use.
Together with my husband, we have upgraded and sold or rented houses in our spare time. My contribution to this effort consists of being the painter, cleaner and general assistant, as well as decorator and family bookkeeper. Our son considers himself a "junior partner" and helps in painting (for brief periods, until boredom sets in) and of helping my husband in hammering, sawing, etc. We have restored a 1700's house as well as more contemporary houses and do most of the work ourselves. At present we are completing remodeling our home - converting the former garage to a family room, plus adding on a pantry and third bath; a new two-car garage, and a large patio and deck in the back yard. The excavating, brick and concrete work has been done by a contractor. We are doing all of the interior work ourselves as well as exterior carpentry and painting.
I enjoy life, my family and my home. Since birth, our son has gone everywhere with us, from antique shows to grocery shopping. A year ago when he was four, we discovered that he could read, no doubt as a result of our reading to him as well as talking to him constantly since his birth. Now, as a kindergarten student, he can read, and understand, sixth grade readers. Although I enjoyed my single years and traveling around the world, I enjoy my life today. I am not, and doubt that I ever could be, a bored housewife. There are just too many things to do!
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