Tampa ( CNN ) -- As the other half of a billionaire political power couple , a mother , a doctor and philanthropist , Miriam Adelson 's name carries a lot of credibility with Republican women . Adelson , an expert in drug addiction who has supported countless organizations , is seen as a champion of women 's issues and groups . So , for the Republican women who sat on white couches on Tuesday in the pink carnation-decorated `` Woman Up '' pavilion at the Republican National Convention listening to a strategy session on using social media , they hoped that maybe , just maybe Adelson might appear . Adelson was a no-show yet her presence was felt . Her name filled a large banner in the room , a reminder of her powerful connection and large check book . The Adelsons donated $ 5 million to the YG Action Fund , a super PAC founded by the same former aides to Rep. Eric Cantor who founded the YG Network . `` Dr. Adelson is pretty unique , '' said Mary Anne Carter , policy director at the YG Network , a conservative think tank that put on the `` Woman Up '' event . `` She embodies a lot of the spirit here in the pavilion . She 's a mom , a doctor ... she 's supportive of conservative causes ... she 's giving back . '' As a physician , Miriam Adelson has spent decades studying the effectiveness of using methadone to treat drug addiction . She founded a substance abuse center and research clinic at Tel Aviv 's Sourasky Medical Center and the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Research Clinic in Las Vegas . She still dons a lab coat every day , according to a profile in Forbes , studies the genetic connection to addiction and works with patients . `` My priorities in life are my family , to be a good mother and a loving wife . Money is down on the list of my priorities , '' Adelson told Forbes . `` That is why I have no problem to change my expensive suit for the white 'lab coat . ' Ask me which one I prefer , and I will tell you that with no doubt , it is the white one . '' The Adelsons have given at least $ 36 million to various organizations and candidates this campaign season according to the Center for Responsive Politics , which tracks the influence of money in politics . Their donations to super PACs , including $ 15 million to Winning Our Future -- which backed Newt Gingrich and helped to keep his candidacy alive -- and $ 10 million to Restore Our Future , the main super PAC supporting Republican nominee Mitt Romney . One of Adelson 's priorities is supporting and protecting Israel , where she attended a speech and fundraiser for Romney during his trip there last month . Miriam Adelson began her medical career in Israel years ago and earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Genetics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and her medical degree from Tel Aviv University 's Sackler Medical School , according to the Forbes profile . She became the chief emergency room internist at the Rokach Hospital in Tel Aviv . While the couple 's donations to super PACs are disclosed , Sheldon Adelson has said some of his political activity may also be made to non-profit groups that do not have to disclose their contributors . Several of these organizations are hoping for sizable gifts from the couple . Adelson has told friends he is willing to spend up to $ 100 million this election season to not only make sure a Republican is elected to the White House but to support GOP congressional candidates . Political observers credit Miriam Adelson with helping encourage her casino magnate husband to up the ante when it comes to spending money for Republican causes . In a year when much has been made of the so-called `` war on women , '' women like Adelson add weight to Republican causes , said Amy Kremer , chairwoman of the Tea Party Express . Kremer said Miriam Adelson is able to use her platform to amplify the views of many Republican women . `` I think it 's good that women are stepping up to the plate and getting involved , '' Kremer said . `` Politics has always been a man 's game . '' Both the hue and the view were decidedly rosy at the Woman 's Up Pavilion . The Republican women there took time to sip iced coffee , shop for GOP elephant accessories and plot how they could marshal forces to educate voters about the economic crisis and voter identification fraud . In a nearby room , there were walls dedicated to the history of powerful women in American politics . Women like Miriam Adelson , said conservative activist Carter . `` Dr. Adelson ... puts her money where her mouth is , '' Carter said . CNN 's Kevin Bohn contributed to this report .
The wife of billionaire conservative Sheldon Adelson supports many women 's issues . She is a doctor and an expert in drug addiction . Comment: