Early Life and Education of Gretchen Whitmer: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Gretchen Whitmer. A timeline of key moments.

Gretchen Whitmer is the 49th and current governor of Michigan, serving since 2019. As a member of the Democratic Party, she previously held positions in the Michigan House of Representatives (2001-2006) and the Michigan Senate (2006-2015).

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1931: 1931 Abortion Ban

In her January 2023 State of the State address, Gretchen Whitmer called for a repeal of Michigan's now defunct 1931 abortion ban

August 23, 1971: Gretchen Whitmer Born

On August 23, 1971, Gretchen Esther Whitmer was born. She is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the 49th governor of Michigan since 2019.

1985: Attended Forest Hills Central High School

From 1985 to 1989, Gretchen Whitmer attended Forest Hills Central High School near Grand Rapids, participating in the school's softball and track and field teams.

1988: Father became CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

In 1988, Gretchen Whitmer's father became the president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a position he held until 2006.

1989: Graduated from Forest Hills Central High School

In 1989, Gretchen Whitmer graduated from Forest Hills Central High School.

1993: Graduated from Michigan State University

In 1993, Gretchen Whitmer graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in communication.

1998: Graduated from Michigan State University College of Law

In 1998, Gretchen Whitmer graduated from the Michigan State University College of Law with a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude.

1998: Received Juris Doctor Degree

In 1998, Gretchen Whitmer received a Juris Doctor degree from Michigan State University.

1999: Elected Chair of East Lansing Transportation Commission

In 1999, Gretchen Whitmer was elected chair of the East Lansing Transportation Commission.

2000: Elected to Michigan House of Representatives

In 2000, Gretchen Whitmer was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives' 70th district.

2001: Married Gary Shrewsbury

In 2001, Gretchen Whitmer married Gary Shrewsbury, a photographer, after being elected to the Michigan House of Representatives.

2002: Birth of First Child and Death of Mother

In 2002, Gretchen Whitmer gave birth to her first child shortly before her mother passed away from glioblastoma at the age of 59.

2002: Re-elected to the Michigan House

In 2002, Gretchen Whitmer was re-elected to the 69th House district.

2004: Re-elected to the Michigan House

In 2004, Gretchen Whitmer was re-elected to the 69th House district and served as vice chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee.

November 2005: Virg Bernero Elected Mayor of Lansing

In November 2005, Virg Bernero was elected mayor of Lansing, which created the vacancy Gretchen Whitmer filled in March 2006.

March 2006: Won Special Election to Michigan State Senate

In March 2006, Gretchen Whitmer won a special election to the Michigan State Senate.

2006: Won Special Election to State Senate

In 2006, Gretchen Whitmer won a special election to the Michigan State Senate and served in that chamber until 2015.

2006: Father left Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

In 2006, Gretchen Whitmer's father left Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

2008: Divorced Gary Shrewsbury

In 2008, Gretchen Whitmer divorced Gary Shrewsbury. Despite the divorce, they remain close.

2011: Became First Female Democratic Leader in the Senate

In 2011, Gretchen Whitmer became the first woman to lead a party caucus in the Michigan State Senate, serving as Senate Democratic Leader from 2011 to 2015.

2011: Married Marc P. Mallory

In 2011, Gretchen Whitmer married Marc P. Mallory, a dentist who identifies as fiscally conservative but socially liberal.

2011: Chosen as Senate Democratic Leader

In 2011, Gretchen Whitmer's Democratic colleagues unanimously chose her to be the Senate Democratic Leader, making her the first woman to lead a party caucus in the Senate.

2013: Shared Sexual Assault Experience

In 2013, Gretchen Whitmer gained national attention for a floor speech during a debate on abortion in which she shared her experience of being sexually assaulted.

2015: End of State Senate Term

In 2015, Gretchen Whitmer's term in the Michigan State Senate ended.

July 2, 2016: Dunnings Resigned

On July 2, 2016, Stuart Dunnings III resigned as Ingham County Prosecutor, effective this date, after being charged with misconduct in office and with prostitution-related offenses.

2016: Served as Ingham County Prosecutor

For six months in 2016, Gretchen Whitmer served as the prosecutor for Ingham County.

2018: Elected Governor of Michigan

In 2018, Gretchen Whitmer was elected governor of Michigan, defeating Republican nominee Bill Schuette.

2019: Establishment of Michigan Reconnect Program

In 2019, Gretchen Whitmer established the Michigan Reconnect program to address workforce talent shortages, aiming to have 60% of working-age adults in Michigan with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030.

March 2020: Issued Stay-at-Home Order

In March 2020, at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gretchen Whitmer issued a stay-at-home order for Michigan.

April 2020: Legal Challenge to Stay-at-Home Order Rejected

In April 2020, a Michigan judge rejected a legal challenge to Gretchen Whitmer's stay-at-home order.

April 2020: Protests Against Restrictions

In April 2020, right-wing groups organized a protest against Governor Whitmer's COVID-19 restrictions at the Michigan State Capitol.

May 2020: "Big Gretch" Song Released

In May 2020, Detroit-based comedy rapper Gmac Cash released "Big Gretch", a song praising Gretchen Whitmer and the COVID-19 lockdown. The song gained popularity on YouTube.

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May 2020: Cecily Strong Portrays Whitmer on Saturday Night Live

In May 2020, amid her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cecily Strong portrayed Gretchen Whitmer on Saturday Night Live after tweets in which Trump attacked her and dismissed her as "the woman in Michigan".

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May 2020: Edenville Dam Failure

In May 2020, the Edenville Dam gave way after awaiting an overdue report on its safety standards. Whitmer directed the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to form an investigation.

June 1, 2020: Lifted Stay-at-Home Order

On June 1, 2020, Gretchen Whitmer lifted Michigan's stay-at-home order, moving the state to "phase four" of her reopening plan.

October 2020: Kidnapping Plot Thwarted

In October 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation thwarted a far-right militia group's kidnapping plot against Gretchen Whitmer.

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.

February 2021: Cecily Strong Portrays Whitmer on Saturday Night Live

In February 2021, Cecily Strong portrayed Gretchen Whitmer on Saturday Night Live episodes.

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June 22, 2021: Lifted all COVID-19 Restrictions

On June 22, 2021, Gretchen Whitmer lifted all COVID-19-related restrictions in Michigan, citing a reduction in COVID-19 cases and the availability of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.

2021: Welcoming Afghan Refugees

In 2021, Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan was prepared to welcome Afghan refugee families fleeing the country amid the Taliban takeover after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. She emphasized Michigan's history of multiculturalism and commitment to assisting those arriving in the state to establish themselves.

2022: Democrats Took Control of Senate and House

After the 2022 Michigan elections, Democrats took control of the Senate and House of Representatives, allowing Whitmer greater control of her legislative agenda.

January 2023: State of the State Address

In her January 2023 State of the State address, Gretchen Whitmer called for repeal of the state's retirement tax; an increase in the state earned income tax credit from 6% to 30%, universal pre-kindergarten; investment in renewable energy such as wind and solar power; a repeal of Michigan's now defunct 1931 abortion ban; increasing education spending, and stricter gun laws, such as universal background checks and a ban on 3D printed guns; the addition of sexual identity and gender identity protections to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act; and further investment in manufacturing.

November 2023: Sister Dropped Out of Congressional Primary

In November 2023, Gretchen Whitmer's sister, Liz Whitmer Gereghty, dropped out of the Democratic primary for Congress in New York's 17th congressional district and endorsed Mondaire Jones.

2023: Social Media Popularity

As of 2023, Gretchen Whitmer is popular on social media, with hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers and 4 million TikTok likes.

2023: Comments on Big Gretch Persona

In 2023, Gretchen Whitmer told WNEM-TV that "Big Gretch" was a persona that emerged from the pandemic as a form of encouragement.

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.

November 2024: Pro-Israel Speech

In November 2024, following the election, Gretchen Whitmer, along with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, delivered pro-Israel speeches at a pro-Israel rally held by the Jewish Federations of North America's General Assembly. They expressed solidarity with the Israeli people.

2024: Addressed Nickname at Democratic National Convention

At the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Gretchen Whitmer addressed the "Big Gretch" nickname, stating, "In Lansing, they call me governor, but in Detroit, I’m 'Big Gretch!'"

2024: Sister Ran for Congress

In 2024, Gretchen Whitmer's sister, Liz Whitmer Gereghty, briefly ran for the Democratic nomination for Congress in New York's 17th congressional district.