Betsy Holland

Betsy Holland was born in Huntington, New York. She earned a high school diploma from Sprayberry High School.[1] Holland earned a bachelor's degree in American government and women's studies from Smith College in 1993 and a certificate in corporate community relations from Boston College in 2003. Holland’s career experience includes working as a director of culture and engagement with Turner. She has been a member of the board of directors for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Fugees Family board, the Communities in Schools board, the Atlanta Community ToolBank board, and the ToolBank USA board.[2][3]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Betsy Holland, and I represent Georgia House District 54. I was elected to office in 2018. During my service in the General Assembly, I have fought to protect the rights of vulnerable Georgians, to protect women's bodily autonomy, to expand healthcare access, to reduce gun violence, and to expand resources for our public schools and our teachers.

I live in the Buckhead community with my husband, my son, and our two-year old rescue dog. For more than 25 years, I've worked in the corporate sector focusing on corporate responsibility, philanthropy, corporate culture and nonprofit partnerships. I've served on boards of community and civic organizations, and most Sundays you'll find me worshipping at Morningside Presbyterian Church.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I will protect women's access to healthcare, including access to birth control, fertility treatments and abortion. I support expanding Medicaid and increasing access to care across the state.I support common sense measures to reduce gun violence in our communities, including limiting the sale of semi-automatic weapons and requiring basic in-home safety measures.I support fully funding public education, and I support additional pay raises and benefits expansions for teachers and other education professionals. I support funding for technology improvements in our schools. I support reduced dependence on standardized testing. I also support a needs-based scholarship for Georgia students.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

There are three areas where the state has influence that contribute immeasurably to the well-being of our communities. Those ares are health care, education and economic development. I believe in expanding Medicaid, codifying women's access to reproductive care and creating incentives for health care workers in high demand areas and field. I support fully funding public education, putting more resources into developing programs at our technical colleges and funding the state's first-ever needs-based scholarship. Finally, I believe in creating a Georgia where both workers and businesses can thrive, including developing pathways for young people to fill the state's most high demand jobs.

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What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Healthcare - We must make sure every Georgian has an insurance card in his pocket. Expanding healthcare coverage strengthens our medical facilities and promotes economic growth for our state. Working Georgians deserve access to affordable, accessible healthcare.

Reducing gun violence - I favor common-sense solutions to the epidemic of gun violence facing our communities including closing loopholes on gun sales, background checks, and restricting the sale of military-style, high-capacity firearns.

Transit and infrastructure - I believe in investing in future-minded solutions to our traffic woes, including investing in rail and buses, expanding pedestrian and bike paths, and leveraging innovative solutions like work-live communities, telecommute incentives and ride share programs.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a public school graduate, a public school parent and the child of a public school educator, I am passionate about strengthening and improving our state's education system. Every child in Georgia deserves access to top-notch schools from early education through college.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

During my first year of college, I read "And the Band Played On," journalist Randy Shiltz's account of the early days of the AIDS epidemic and the lackluster government response to the crisis. This ignited in me a passion around public service and responding to the needs of underserved communities. The next summer, I interned with Jerusalem House, an Atlanta nonprofit serving people living with AIDS. From there, I went on to build a career working with nonprofit organizations in Georgia serving populations including seniors, youth, schools, refugees, veterans, LGBTQ people and more.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

We must expect our leaders to be collaborative and willing to listen to others so they can develop solutions to the most pressing problems facing families in our state.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

With 20+ years of business experience, I know how to build consensus and work with diverse populations. I'm familiar with the challenges facing our community, and I've worked to build programs that address job growth, public education, arts and culture development, college readiness, and inclusion. I'm also a resident of my district who knows first hand the challenges of being a working parent, fighting traffic to get to work each day, and finding quality healthcare.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility of a member of the Georgia House of Representatives is to do what is best for the growth and prosperity of our state while caring for the needs of ALL Georgians, regardless of age, income, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender or background.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to join the Georgia legislature to develop policy and programs that offer opportunity and growth for ALL Georgians.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was nine years old and home from school for a teacher in-service day when I watched the spaceshuttle Challenger explode on live TV. Like many school children, I was enthralled with the mission because it included Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher to fly in space. I remember newscasters emphasizing that the astronauts on that flight were heroes; the other enduring memory is learning about the concept of continuing space exploration despite the dangers. This was the news event that taught me that we pursue dreams and exploration even when risk is involved. The event was the beginning of a lifelong fascination with NASA and space exploration.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

At 16, I began a job waiting tables at a southern-themed restaurant during summers and on the weekends. I continued working there during breaks in the school year until I was 19 years old.

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

I look forward to celebrating Advent and Christmas each year. Our Advent observances includes special church activities, community service and reaching out to people in our community for fellowship in addition to the usual caroling, baking, shopping and wrapping gifts. Every Christmas Eve, we attend services together and have a large meal with extended family. Then, we have the honor of hosting family in our home for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Those days are filled with special traditions and great generosity. I look forward to it every year, and I rejoice in seeing my son begin to enjoy these traditions as well.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"My Shot" from Hamilton (Original Broadway Recording) - a great motivator for someone running for political office for the first time!

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I don't believe state legislators necessarily need experience serving in political office, but it's imperative that they understand the needs of both their districts and the state overall and how those two things interconnect. Understanding one's district is not enough to be a good representative. One must understand how the state's diverse regions impact one another and how we can craft solutions that lift up all Georgians.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

It's not just beneficial to build relationships with other legislators, it's absolutely critical. The Georgia legislature can only serve Georgians if elected officials come together regardless of region, party or professional background to collaborate on finding solutions to problems facing Georgians.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I favor an independent redistricting committee.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

During a meet and greet in a senior housing community, I spoke with a very informed, passionate woman about a myriad of issues. At the end of our talk, she asked how much I knew about the way food stamps were distributed. I admitted that my knowledge of the details was limited. She explained her circumstances and the resulting $15 she's provided in food stamps each month. It's not enough, she explained, to cover her groceries, and she depends on food banks and other outreach programs to make up the difference. "Someone my age should be able to choose what she eats," she said to me, "and not have to depend on whatever a food bank provides." I listened to this story while sitting in the heart of Buckhead, a stone's throw from some of the most expensive homes in Georgia. It's immoral for our neighbors to live without enough money to shop for basic necessities like food and medicine. We must do better by our neighbors.