in various positions of government. Challenge Seattle After taking time away from public life following her governorship, Gregoire coordinated with several business and community leaders to found Challenge Seattle, an alliance of CEOs from 18 of the region's largest employers. Launched in 2015, Challenge Seattle, with Gregoire as its CEO, focuses on improving the Cascadia Innovation Corridor, education, middle-income housing affordability, and transportation projects. Personal life Gregoire's first child, Courtney, was born in Spokane in 1979. In 2013, Courtney was appointed to the Seattle Port Commission. Courtney has 2 children, Audrey and Alexa. Her second daughter, Michelle, was born in 1984. When not in Olympia, Gregoire lives in nearby Lacey with her husband, Michael. In 2003, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in an early stage after a routine check-up and a mammogram. She had surgery and recovered. She mentions her fight with cancer in speeches about health care. Awards In 2007, Gregoire was named one of Governing'' magazines “Public Officials of the Year” In 2009, Gregoire received a sort of tongue-in-cheek Fuse "Fizzle" Award. The awards program is aimed at promoting leadership and accountability in the Washington State Legislature. In 1995, Gregoire received the honorary degree of LL.D. from Gonzaga University. In 2012, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws after delivering the commencement speech at Washington State University. In 2015, she received an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Washington. Electoral history See also List of female governors in the United States References External links |- |- |- |- |- |- 1947 births Living people People from Adrian, Michigan People from Auburn, Washington Democratic Party governors of Washington (state) State cabinet secretaries of Washington (state) Washington (state) Attorneys General Women in Washington (state) politics Women state governors of the United States Gonzaga University School of Law alumni University of Washington College of Arts and Sciences alumni 20th-century American politicians 21st-century American politicians 20th-century American women politicians 21st-century American women politicians