Moving Forward
As Jessica Doyle bids a fond farewell to the role of Wisconsin’s first lady and Tonette Walker takes the reigns, we sat down with each to talk life, family, and what the future holds
By Meagan Parrish
Jessica Doyle photographed by David Watkins and John Ladwig
Tonette Walker photographed by David Watkins at Murphy Desmond, S.C. offices; hair and makeup by Rosalee Eichstedt
Jessica Doyle
A notable advocate for education statewide, she reflects on her goals, her achievements, and the way she wants to say goodbye
Stepping inside the governor’s mansion, it’s hard to not be impressed by the grandness of it all—the regal staircases, stately furnishings and high glass doors opposite the foyer that reveal a breathtaking view of Lake Mendota. And then there’s the residence’s grande dame: Jessica Doyle. Both gracious and warm, she enters the room and introduces herself in a way that—despite the formal setting—is clearly down to earth.
Now at ease with the formalities of playing hostess at the state’s executive residence, playing the role of first lady is something Doyle never expected. Though she was no stranger to the world of politics—her mother-in-law was the first woman in Wisconsin elected to the state assembly and her own uncle had been a U.S. congressman and secretary of defense—living in the spotlight after her husband, Jim, became the 44th governor of Wisconsin was uncharted territory.
At the time Jim was elected, Doyle was a passionate educator. She earned her master’s degree from UW-Madison and worked for over 35 years as a teacher while her husband focused on public office—serving as the state’s attorney general for 12 years. But the transition to the job of first lady brought Doyle to a turning point. Sensing new horizons, she left her job at Cherokee Middle School on Madison’s west side and embraced this new path.
Playing the part of first lady is often a matter of interpreting roles and for Doyle, promoting education has been what it’s all about. Despite her gentle and often humble personality, the classroom has been where Doyle really comes alive. She traversed the state frequently, visiting schools and meeting teachers. Putting her own spin on the common image of a first lady reading to a room full of children, she engaged students statewide through online games, invited them to the residence to share their favorite books and later spoke out in support of her husband’s key education plans.
For Doyle, the last eight years have been marked by two campaigns, two terms in office, entertaining guests from around the state and the world, watching her family grow—the Doyles have two grown sons and two grandchildren—and advancing literacy efforts across Wisconsin. Now, as she looks back on her years as first lady, she reflects on her regrets, her hopes and how she’s preparing for the next phase of life.
I want to start by going back to the night your husband was first elected governor eight years ago. What did it feel like in that moment to realize you were going to become the first lady?
The whole thing was completely overwhelming. It was really a close election and we both agreed that we would just take each day as it came. Jim had already been in office [as attorney general]. But the campaign for governor was so much more intense. We didn’t really ever think of the outcome. We convinced ourselves to just work as hard as we could during the campaign and we would be fine with the results. So all of us said, ‘Jim, you actually won!’ I was so proud. I felt so happy for him. It was as if…you just had this huge surprise. You’re speechless.
As you started preparing to move into the executive residence, what were you most excited about?
Excited is surely a great word. We [met other new governors] in November [after the election] and I found that really reassuring. That’s when the excitement really started to pick up because until then, to be honest with you, it was a little frightening. Jim and I never considered ourselves to be special people. I started being excited about the fact that maybe I could understand education across the whole state. Looking back at Wisconsin, each governor’s spouse has always interpreted the role a little differently and that’s been fine. In a way it’s very much how Jim and our sons, Gus and Gabe, have always treated me, too, and that is: ‘Whatever you like to do, we’ll support you.’
You spent your career working as a teacher. Why were you drawn to being an educator?
I think back to when I was in third grade and my favorite activity was to play school. I was always the teacher and I’d get my poor sister—[who is] four years younger—into this small little study area. I’d close the door, and when she wanted to leave I’d tap my ruler and say, ‘It’s not time for recess.’ I just loved education. During college, I happened to be a French major and I was trying to figure what to do with it. I did consider maybe journalism or some kind of international work. But then I thought I should pick up a teaching degree so I had something [to fall back on]. And then I realized—this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
After you became first lady, why did you decide to leave your career as a teacher?
That was a very difficult decision. I found myself going to the current governor’s spouses and asking, ‘What did you do?’ It was really the case that people were happiest being a spouse of a governor when they had devoted themselves to that role. When they were trying to do both at once, there was a lot of talk about the stress and the juggling. But the people that chose a couple of projects, they seemed very happy and very fulfilled.
During your time as first lady, you were active in education in several ways. You engaged school-age children with an online game called “Where in Wisconsin is Jessica Doyle?” which gave them a set of clues about a city in the state so they could find where you were. You were also an outspoken supporter of your husband’s initiative—the Wisconsin Covenant—which encourages eighth graders to pledge they’ll get good grades, be good citizens, apply for college and seek government aid. Now looking back, are you satisfied with what you’ve been able to accomplish?
You always want to do more. Time has just flown by. I never dreamed eight years could go so fast. But when I think about it, I really enjoyed the “Where in Wisconsin is Jessica Doyle?” game. I did it at first because it was fun for me. I [also] thought that it would be a great way to develop state pride. It’s hard to be proud of something when people just tell you to be proud. But when you [learn] facts from answering a set of questions about a town [in Wisconsin], that adds up. [Also, the game allowed me to] learn what teachers [throughout the state] have been teaching [by] the way they use the game, and the way they really are producing students.
When you say that you wish you could have done more, what do you mean?
My regrets come along these lines: I’ll meet a couple of really great teachers and students in one of our school visits. Maybe I was in Eau Claire and I’ll drive home and think that teacher really had an astounding class and I’ll think that I’ll want to keep in touch with that teacher. And I’ll wonder what made that class click or about that kid in the back who seemed so bright. And then I’ll never get back [to that class] and I’ll never get to tell that teacher [thank you] or find out more about that student.
Have you and the governor ever disagreed about what he has done in office? How have you expressed disapproval?
That’s always a tough one, probably for any spouse. One of the wonderful parts our marriage—we have been married 44 years—[is that] he already knows how I feel about a lot of things and I already know how he feels. As far as sharing values and forming our valuesand having it evolve together … that happened long before he became governor. Now, if I should read something in the papers that I disagree with, I don’t say that much. I try to keep this house very stress free. We talk about normal things around here and I think that’s really important. Being governor is a very stressful and consuming and exciting job. And I figure if Jim comes home and wants to relax, this is the place.
Your family is the 13th first family to live in the executive residence, and an average of 20,000 visitors come to your home each year. How do you manage to make this space feel like your personal home?
For the first few months I was just terrified living here because it seemed so huge. On the weekends if there’s not an event, there’s just the two of us rattling around here—and it’s enormous. You can easily lose each other and not know where the other one is.
I also want to respect the history of this place because a lot of people have lived here. So rather than say, ‘Oh, I don’t really like that chair,’ I’ve tried to really learn where it came from and just enjoy it. And upstairs we have our own little headquarters. So it’s kind of like a Residence Inn—or an assisted living unit. [laughs]
What’s next for you?
Sleep. [laughs] I’m telling myself that I’m going to take January off. I’m going to get a little sleep, step aside and then I’ll figure something out.
Have you decided in what capacity you’ll still be involved in education?
I haven’t decided. Do I go back to work? Do I get connected with a nonprofit related to education? Or do I volunteer? That’s why it’s important that Jim and I get some rest because those are big decisions we have to make.
How does it feel to move into this next phase of your life?
I feel that it will be somewhat of an unknown, but I’m convinced that it’s the right time. Jim has been in public office for 20 years. It’s good to let other people have these offices. I also think that if I stayed here four more years, I’d be so spoiled. [laughs]
I hear you’re shopping for a home in Madison. What kind of home do you hope to find?
Something small and one floor. There are only two of us and I never could have managed a house of this size on my own.
You recently met Scott Walker and his wife, Tonette, and gave them a tour of the residence. Did you have any advice for the first lady-elect?
I had the advice that I’ve tried to give myself: Relax and enjoy it.
Though you’re saying goodbye to Wisconsin as first lady, will you be saying goodbye as a champion of education?
I hope I always stay engaged [with education]. When I say goodbye, it’s goodbye to this house and it’s much more of a thank you. I can’t tell you how many people have opened their doors to me and the governor. When I think about a regret that I have, it’s that I haven’t been able to tell people enough how much they’ve meant to us. I’ve just been so grateful for the support I’ve had from countless people across the state and I haven’t had a chance to tell them how much that’s meant. I’ve also seen how many people are behind every single office holder, how many volunteers work in campaigns, how many citizens write us nice notes. That makes such a tremendous difference. [It’s] very rewarding just to know there’s that kind of support in our state.
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