Anne Holton

Anne Holton
Name	Anne Holton
Birth date	June 26, 1958
Birth place	Roanoke, Virginia, United States
Occupation	Judge, educator, public official
Spouse	Tim Kaine
Party	Democratic Party
Alma mater	Princeton University, Harvard Law School, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Anne Holton is an American judge, educator, and public official known for her work in juvenile justice, public education, and state government. She has served as a state court judge, First Lady of Virginia, and Virginia Secretary of Education, engaging with institutions across the United States including state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and federal initiatives. Holton’s career intersects with notable figures and institutions from the legal, political, and education sectors.

Early life and education

Holton was born in Roanoke, Virginia, and is the daughter of attorney and politician Linwood Holton and educator Virginia "Jinks" Holton. She attended St. Catherine's School (Richmond, Virginia) and later enrolled at Princeton University, where she studied politics and was influenced by faculty and alumni connected to Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Edward Said, and peers who pursued public service at City of Richmond and statewide offices. After Princeton, she attended Harvard Law School and then earned a master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education, studying issues aligned with scholars at Harvard Kennedy School. During her studies she engaged with programs affiliated with American Bar Association, National Association of Social Workers, and nonprofit legal clinics connected to Legal Services Corporation.

Legal and judicial career

Holton began her legal career in Virginia courts and juvenile services, working with organizations such as the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice and collaborating with defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges from circuits including the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and the Henrico County Circuit Court. She served as a judge on the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (Virginia), adjudicating matters tied to statutes enacted by the Virginia General Assembly and guided by precedent from the Supreme Court of Virginia. In her judicial role she interacted with legal entities such as the Virginia State Bar, American Bar Foundation, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Her decisions and initiatives addressed issues raised by child welfare advocates at Child Welfare League of America, juvenile justice reformers linked to the MacArthur Foundation, and policymakers from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Public service and political involvement

As an appointee and activist, Holton engaged with Virginia governors including Mark Warner, Tim Kaine (as Governor's spouse), and Terry McAuliffe through policy coalitions and advisory councils. She worked with statewide entities such as the Virginia Department of Education, Virginia Council on Human Rights, and nonprofit partners including United Way, The Commonwealth Fund, and Annie E. Casey Foundation to address education and child welfare. Holton contributed to national dialogues involving organizations like National Governors Association, Council of Chief State School Officers, and Education Trust, while interacting with federal actors from the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and members of Congress including representatives from Virginia's 2nd congressional district and senators such as Mark Warner (U.S. Senator) and Jim Webb during policy discussions.

Role as First Lady of Virginia

As First Lady of Virginia, she partnered with the Office of the Governor of Virginia and state agencies to promote initiatives related to schools and families, coordinating with actors from Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech on outreach programs. Her initiatives brought together nonprofit leaders from Save the Children, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Teach For America, as well as public officials from the Virginia General Assembly and local executives including mayors of Richmond, Virginia and other municipalities. Holton's public appearances and program launches often connected to statewide efforts like early childhood programs administered through the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation and collaborations with philanthropic institutions such as the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Secretary of Education and education advocacy

Appointed Virginia Secretary of Education, Holton worked within cabinets that included the Office of Governor Terry McAuliffe and engaged with education policy leaders at the National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, and state school boards such as the Virginia Board of Education. Her portfolio intersected with federal rules from the Every Student Succeeds Act, programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education, and research from institutions like Learning Policy Institute and Brookings Institution. She collaborated with state superintendents, local school divisions including Fairfax County Public Schools and Henrico County Public Schools, and higher education leaders from George Mason University and Virginia Commonwealth University on issues such as school discipline reform, teacher recruitment, and early childhood education. Holton also worked with advocacy groups such as Parents as Teachers, Zero to Three, and Common Sense Media on initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for students.

Personal life and family

Holton is married to Tim Kaine, who served as Governor of Virginia and later as a United States Senator from Virginia and was the Democratic Party (United States) 2016 vice presidential nominee. The couple has children who have interacted with institutions including Harvard University, Brown University, and programs connected to Peace Corps and Teach For America. Holton’s family background includes connections to political figures like L. Douglas Wilder and predecessors in Virginia politics such as Douglas Wilder and George Allen (American politician), and to civic organizations including Virginia Historical Society and Richmond Bar Association. She continues to be involved with philanthropic and educational boards tied to institutions such as Commonwealth Center for Children and Families and national initiatives linked to leaders from Council on Foreign Relations and National Women's Law Center.

Category:Living people Category:1958 births Category:People from Roanoke, Virginia Category:Virginia state cabinet secretaries Category:American judges