Biography

View complete printable Biography

Personal

The former Stephanie Wolfe has been married 28 years to John C. Bell.

They have three daughters: Sarah, 24; Becca, 22; and Katie, 18 and son, John David Bell (deceased).

Members - Trinity Presbyterian Church

Education

Montgomery Public Schools: Bear and Dannelly Elementary, Cloverdale Junior High

Graduate of Jefferson Davis High School (the largest high school in Alabama at the time).

She was on the student council, editor of the newspaper and involved in city, state and national organizations and in many other school activities. She started the popular “Tune-In Teens” weekly column, published in The Montgomery Advertiser. 

Earned a Bachelor’s degree in English/Journalism-Applied Communications from Auburn University (Auburn and Montgomery). In college, she was involved on campus in many areas,  including The Plainsman, The Glomerata,  student government, sorority and fraternity (little sister), forensics, Bible studies and numerous others.

She worked to pay for her college education.

Professional

Education Commission of the States, Commissioner

     SCORE 100 (Statewide Committee on Reforming Education), a grassroots  education improvement organization, Executive Director

The Montgomery Advertiser/ Alabama Journal, reporter covering all facets of government, including education, the courts and the Legislature.

Taiwan YMCA in Taichung, English Teacher to Chinese adults and college     students (including a Fulbright Scholar).

Honors and Awards

Olive Spann Eagle of the Year Award

Friend of Education Award

Alabama Eagle Award for promoting God, family and Country

Emma Sansom Heroine Award

Alabama Homemaker of the Year Award

Alabama Press Association, Best News Story category winner

Hector Award Nominee for meritorious reporting

Outstanding Young Woman of America

Professional and Civic Activities and Organizations (Past and Present)

National Association of State Boards of Education, Governmental Affairs Committee

Education Leaders Council, a national network of conservative state board members and state superintendents, charter member

RENEW’s National Council of Women Advisors to Congress, charter member

National Governor’s Association Alabama Travel Team to develop education policy in Williamsburg, VA

National Council of State Legislators’ Conference on Teen Health and Pregnancy Prevention, promoting abstinence and pro-life position

Reading conferences in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., promoting phonics

Alabama Teacher Preparation Advisory Council

Auburn University at Montgomery School of Education Advisory Council

Governor’s Domestic Advisory Council

Eagle Forum of Alabama, board member

SAV-A-Life Ministries, volunteer counselor

Father Purcell’s Exceptional Children Center, newsletter editor

Camp ASCCA Advisory Committee

Family Guidance Center, board member

Junior League of Montgomery, member and sustainer for 22 years, serving on the Board of Control and chairing the league’s committee which published the city’s first comprehensive college scholarship and financial aid booklet.

YMCA volunteer soccer coach

Speaker and panelist for many organizations, including the Conservative Political Action Committee (Washington, D.C.) YMCA Youth in Government, Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation and Alabama Youth Leadership Conference.

Quoted in numerous major books and publications

Interviewed by BBC (broadcast internationally) and major national radio talk shows.

Political

Elected to the Alabama State Board of Education, District III, in 1994 (four- year term); re-elected unopposed in 1998 (two-year term) and re-elected in 2000 and 2004 (four-year terms) with nearly 70 percent of the vote.

Montgomery County Republican Executive Committee, member (15 years)

Federation of Republican Women, member (30 years)

Capitol Club

Worked individually and as a family in numerous Republican campaigns since high school.