Dorothy Vredenburgh Bush

Dorothy McElroy Vredenburgh Bush (December 8, 1916 – December 21, 1991) was an American political activist. She was the secretary of the Democratic National Committee from 1944 to 1988. She also became the vice-president of the Young Democratic Clubs of America in 1943, being the first woman to hold that position.

Early life and education Dorothy McElroy was born on December 8, 1916, in Baldwyn, Mississippi, to Will Lee McElroy, a postmaster, and Lany McElroy (née Holland).

In 1944, she was named secretary to the Democratic National Committee and, in that capacity, called roll at twelve successive Democratic National Conventions, from 1944 to 1988. Peter Vredenburgh died in 1956. In 1962, Dorothy remarried to John W. Bush, who was at the time a member of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

She died of lung cancer on December 21, 1991, in Naples, Florida.