How education and upbringing influenced the life of Gretchen Whitmer. A timeline of key moments.
Gretchen Whitmer is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the 49th Governor of Michigan since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Whitmer's political career includes time in the Michigan House of Representatives (2001-2006) and the Michigan Senate (2006-2015). She is a prominent figure in Michigan politics, currently holding the state's highest office.
1931: 1931 Abortion Ban
In January 2023, Gretchen Whitmer called for repeal of Michigan's now defunct 1931 abortion ban.
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August 23, 1971: Gretchen Whitmer Born
Gretchen Esther Whitmer was born on August 23, 1971, in Lansing, Michigan.
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August 23, 1971: Gretchen Whitmer Born
On August 23, 1971, Gretchen Esther Whitmer was born. She is an American lawyer and politician.
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1985: Attended Forest Hills Central High School
From 1985, Gretchen Whitmer attended Forest Hills Central High School near Grand Rapids.
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1989: Graduated Forest Hills Central High School
In 1989, Gretchen Whitmer graduated from Forest Hills Central High School near Grand Rapids.
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1993: Graduated from Michigan State University
In 1993, Gretchen Whitmer graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in communication.
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1993: Graduated from Michigan State University
In 1993, Gretchen Whitmer graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in communication.
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1998: Graduated from Michigan State University College of Law
In 1998, Gretchen Whitmer graduated from Michigan State University College of Law with a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude.
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1998: Received Juris Doctor Degree
In 1998, Gretchen Whitmer received a Juris Doctor degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
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2002: Birth of First Child and Mother's Death
Shortly after Gretchen Whitmer gave birth to her first child in 2002, her mother died of glioblastoma.
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November 2005: Virg Bernero Elected Mayor of Lansing
In November 2005, Virg Bernero was elected mayor of Lansing, leading to a special election in March 2006 that Whitmer won.
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2008: Divorce from Gary Shrewsbury
In 2008, Gretchen Whitmer divorced her first husband, Gary Shrewsbury.
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2011: Marriage to Marc P. Mallory
In 2011, Gretchen Whitmer married dentist Marc P. Mallory.
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2013: Shared Sexual Assault Experience
In 2013, Gretchen Whitmer gained national attention for sharing her experience of being sexually assaulted during a debate on abortion rights.
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2013: Revealed Sexual Assault Experience
In 2013, Gretchen Whitmer received national recognition when she revealed that she had been the victim of rape during her freshman year at Michigan State University.
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July 2, 2016: Stuart Dunnings Resigned
Stuart Dunnings III resigned from his position on July 2, 2016, effective immediately, leaving the position for Gretchen Whitmer.
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2019: Established Michigan Reconnect Program
In 2019, Gretchen Whitmer established the Michigan Reconnect program with bipartisan support to address workforce talent shortages. This program allows Michiganders 25 or older without a college degree to enroll tuition-free in an associate degree or professional skills certificate program.
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2019: Supported Undocumented Immigrant Rights
In 2019, Gretchen Whitmer told immigration rights groups that she supported plans to give undocumented immigrants driver's licenses or a form of government ID.
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April 2020: Armed Protestors at Michigan State Capitol
In April 2020, armed protestors gathered at the Michigan State Capitol building.
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May 2020: "Big Gretch" Song Released
In May 2020, Detroit-based comedy rapper Gmac Cash released "Big Gretch", a song praising Whitmer and the COVID-19 lockdown, which went viral.
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October 8, 2020: Federal Indictment Unsealed Against Men Plotting to Kidnap Whitmer
On October 8, 2020, a federal indictment against six men associated with the Wolverine Watchmen, a Michigan-based militia group, was unsealed. The indictment charges the men with plotting to kidnap Governor Whitmer and violently overthrow Michigan's government.
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October 2020: Kidnapping Plot Thwarted
In October 2020, the FBI thwarted a far-right militia group's kidnapping plot against Gretchen Whitmer.
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2020: Disapproved Trump's Census Plan
In 2020, Gretchen Whitmer disapproved of then president Trump's plan to exclude illegal immigrants from the 2020 United States census.
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2020: Launched Futures for Frontliners Program
In 2020, Gretchen Whitmer launched the Futures for Frontliners program, providing tuition-free access to an associate degree or professional certification program for Michiganders who served as essential workers during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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2021: Program Reached Over 120,000 Applicants
By 2021, more than 120,000 people had applied for Gretchen Whitmer's Futures for Frontliners program, a first-of-its-kind initiative providing tuition-free access to education for essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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April 2022: Acquittal of Two Men in Kidnapping Plot Trial
In April 2022, two men (Harris and Caserta) were acquitted on all charges related to the plot to kidnap Governor Whitmer on grounds of entrapment by federal authorities.
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August 2022: Conviction of Two Men in Kidnapping Plot Trial
In August 2022, two men (Fox and Barry Croft Jr.) were convicted of conspiracy to kidnap Governor Whitmer.
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October 2022: Conviction of Three Men in Kidnapping Plot Trial
In October 2022, three men (Morrison, Musico, and Bellar) were convicted of providing material support for a terrorist act related to the plot to kidnap Governor Whitmer.
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2022: Established Michigan Achievement Scholarship
In 2022, Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation establishing the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and providing $560 million to fund it, expanding affordable access to college education.
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November 2023: Sister Dropped Out of Primary
In November 2023, Whitmer's sister, Liz Whitmer Gereghty, dropped out of the primary for Congress in New York's 17th congressional district.
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2023: Social Media Popularity
As of 2023, Whitmer is popular on social media, with hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers and 4 million TikTok likes.
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2023: Acknowledged "Big Gretch" Persona
In 2023, Gretchen Whitmer told WNEM-TV that "Big Gretch" is a persona that came out of the pandemic and she appreciates it.
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2023: Called for Expanding Michigan Reconnect Program
In her 2023 State of the State Address, Gretchen Whitmer called for expanding the Michigan Reconnect program by lowering the minimum age to 21.
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2024: Addressed "Woman From Michigan" Insult
At the 2024 DNC, Gretchen Whitmer said, "Being a woman from Michigan is a badge of honor." after Trump previously referred to her as "that woman from Michigan".
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2024: Addressed Nickname at DNC
At the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Whitmer addressed the nickname "Big Gretch", saying, "In Lansing, they call me governor, but in Detroit, I’m 'Big Gretch!'"
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2024: Sister Ran for Congress
In 2024, Whitmer's sister, Liz Whitmer Gereghty, briefly ran for the Democratic nomination for Congress in New York's 17th congressional district.
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