Rosemary’s experiences as the wife of former United States Congressman and Senator Paul Trible provide fascinating insights into the challenges and opportunities of public life. During their twelve years in Congress, Rosemary’s involvement in the inner city of Washington gave her a fresh perspective of the need for reconciliation and the importance of the “power of love” over the “love of power.” Throughout their public life she and her husband have encouraged excellence among young people through education. For over a decade Paul has served as President of Christopher Newport University and Rosemary has played an active role in the university and the lives of the students including hosting three women’s Bible study groups.
Rosemary was selected as America’s Junior Miss in 1967, (a national scholastic leadership program), a few years after Diane Sawyer. She attended Sweet Briar College for two years and graduated in 1971 in Radio, Television and Film from the University of Texas. This prepared her well for Capitol Hill where she served as Assistant Press Secretary for Senator John McClellan from Arkansas.
She hosted a CBS affiliate morning television talk show, Rosemary’s Guestbook in Richmond, Virginia where she interviewed diverse guests and tackled tough topics. In 1978 she became Founder and President of Friendship Imports, an international company that imported decorative arts and crafts predominately from China. She then became a Vice President of Lascaris Design Group in Washington D.C., and worked there for three years in the international interior design business.
Rosemary’s compassion for the poor led her to travel widely hosting mission trips around the world to places such as Cuba, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and India. While in Calcutta she was greatly impacted by the opportunity to work with The Sisters of Charity. Mother Teresa challenged Rosemary to “be a woman of prayer,” which continues to inspire her today.
Rosemary, originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, has been married to Paul Trible since 1971. They have two children, Mary Katherine, who is married to Dr. Barrett W. R. Peters, a pediatric dentist; and Paul III, who is the co-founder and CEO of Ledbury, a men’s shirt-making company. One of her greatest joys is being a grandmother of two.
Fear 2 Freedom is dedicated to the life and legacy of Anne Pressly, a vivacious news anchor for KATV Channel 7 in Little Rock, Arkansas. On October 20, 2008 at 26 years old Anne died following an attack which left her brutally beaten and raped. Her perpetrator is now serving a life sentence. Anne’s life of dedication and devotion to others will be remembered through this program to help bring hope and healing to those sexually abused.
