In a moved that
stunned some and rocked the house, Dr. Ada M. Fisher of Rowan
County nominated herself for her party’s National Committeewoman in
a speech that drew exasperations of admiration and several standing
ovations for its passion and energy regarding the work that must be
done to reinvigorate the state’s Republican Party. Noting that she
is a native of Durham, NC and a resident of Rowan County, Fisher
listed her education from the University of North Carolina at
Greensboro, medical degree from the University of Wisconsin at
Madison, Masters in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins University
School of Hygiene and Public Health and Physician Executive
Certification from Harvard University as educational milestones.
She also listed a history of service to the state on the Salisbury
Rowan Board of Education, symphony board, Chamber of commerce, and
Preservation North Carolina. This 40 year Republican (who notes she
is only 20 years old) has held membership in the National Federation
of Republican Women and served on the NC GOP Executive Committee, as
a precinct chairwoman, and gofer, as well as a candidate for the US
Senate, the US Congress and now for the NC House 77th
District. She has the distinction of being one of the few people
who has walked in and visited all 100 counties of the state. For
her volunteer efforts, Fisher has received the 2008 Salisbury, NC
Human Relations Council Koontz Humanitarian Award (for her work with
drop outs), 2007 selection to the NC Community Action Agency’s Hall
of Fame, 2007 inductee into the University of Wisconsin “Badger Then
and Now Hall of Fame, Daughters of the American Revolution One of
Ten Outstanding Women, White House Fellows Finalist under the first
President Bush and graduation from the Institute of Political
Leadership.
Fisher’s nomination speech was seconded and
third, followed by her candidate’s speech which drew much laughter
for her self directed humor as well as appreciation that Dr. Ada M.
Fisher truly has a finger on the heartbeat of America. Fisher
stated that running for this position was not an ambition of hers,
but as she has watched what is happening someone must stand up with
leadership. Referring to her heart attack in June of 2007 during
which she almost died, she stated one gets clarity of purpose and
can address the question if not me, who and if not now when?
Increased recruitment, more registrants as Republican, energized
outreach and broadened diversity, and a better reflection of the
interest and input of North Carolinians on the national stage were
Dr. Fisher’s goals in her tenure as the National Committeewoman.
Being upfront with the party, Fisher noted she is broke from being
sidelined from her illness and her finances need work but her
passion remains for making the state a reflection of the good roads
state it use to be, a supporter of jobs which can’t be shipped
overseas or sent south of the border and all those other changes she
has advocated for over ten years.
Upon election to this office, Dr. Fisher
expressed humbleness and gratitude stressing our need to promote
“Change which makes a positive difference for our citizens.” Fisher
is the first African American Republican to hold this office.
I was asked to be a greeter today [6-20-2008] when President
Bush arrived for a private fundraiser. I am not sure how we
were picked, but I stood side by side with re-elected
Committeeman David Lewis. I think I was seventh in line.
Air Force One seemed gigantic and the limousines were
not a bit different than the coach type used for my
brother's Funeral Home.
They opened the plane door and the President emerged
waving to the crowd roped in the observatory area as each of
us (9 greeters) in line waited for the President of the
United States at the base of the stairs he was descending.
Many brought gifts and President Bush was cordial and
gracious.
When President Bush got to me, I stuck out my hand and
welcomed him to North Carolina noting that 'I am Dr. Ada M.
Fisher, the new North Carolina Republican National
Committeewoman-elect." This elicited a huge smile from
him. I asked if we might take a picture together and he
said 'Yes!' grabbing me at the waist for the photo. I then
introduced the President to Representative David Lewis and
asked if he could join us in the photo. Then I said 'I am
also running for the NC House District 77 seat and gave him
one of my thermometer pens and cards. He seemed to love the
'Get A Doctor In The House' logo and phrase and held out his
arms for a hug and we gave each other a warm, gentle,
tender kiss. I saw the fatigue in his face and appreciated
(as a physician) more than any that this man was tired and
with the weight of the world on his shoulders, whether we
agree with him or not, he needs our comfort and prayers. As
he walked toward Mr. Lewis I shared that I had had lunch
with his mother at the White House during his father's
administration. He remarked, 'When you got her you got the
A Team.' And I said. 'You're alright yourself' as he walked
away with a big smile. After talking to Rep. Lewis, the
President turned to me and said 'Help me win this state.'
From there he turned to greet a young man named
Nicholas Nickleby who started his own company providing
comfort kits for young patients in our state's hospital.
Nicholas and his family do about 500 packs per year and I
asked that they try to make sure that small towns and
hospitals get these since they don't have the money to do
the extras for kids that big hospitals do. He was a neat
young man of about 13 who I tried to reconvince not to give
up on being a doctor.
Remember the President in your prayers.
Ada M. Fisher, MD
NC Republican National Committeewoman-elect
NC House District 77 Republican Candidate
Dr. Ada M. Fisher is a
licensed teacher for secondary education in mathematics and science,
previous elected school board member, physician and is the Republican
candidate for the NC House 77th District. Contact her
at P. O. Box 777; Salisbury, NC 28145, telephone (704) 637-6134 or DrFisher@DrAdaMFisher.org.
