Peatsy (Rita Liddy, 1935-2012), married Sen. Hollings in 1971

Collection Description The papers of Rita Liddy "Peatsy" Hollings, the Senator's wife since 1971, consume most of the family files (5.5 ft). Mrs. Hollings, a teacher from Charleston, became interested in politics while attending graduate school at USC and worked on Hollings' successful campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1966. Afterward, she joined his staff as a research assistant in the Washington, D.C., office.

Among other causes in the D.C. and Charleston areas, Peatsy devoted her time and energy to such organizations as the American Heart Association, March of Dimes, and the American Cancer Society. Notably, her papers cover her efforts as co–chair of the Ford's Theatre annual gala salute to the President and First Lady from 1990 to 2000, her work as Chairman of the March of Dimes Gourmet Gala in 1986 (and continued involvement with the gala at other levels), and her four-year tenure on the National Advisory Mental Health Council, to which President Bush nominated her in 1991. Her public service announcements (PSAs) and appearances from the 1980s and 1990s, recorded on a variety of formats and related to drunk driving, drug abuse, education, and health care, are in Box 758 with other audio-visual materials.