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Accession No. OCA.2026.0006: Lorraine Lewis, 2025 September
[identification of item], Lorraine Lewis Oral History, SPEC.OCA.57.0026, Ohio Public Policy Archives, Ohio State University
Contains computer and media files in the following formats: MP3, PDF
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Processed by Sierra Sales, 2026 April; Finding aid written by: Sierra Sales, 2026 April
As of 2026, Lorraine Lewis is the former Executive Director of the United Mine Workers of America Health and Retirement Funds. Lewis was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1956, and she grew up in Worthington, Ohio. Lewis earned her juris doctorate from Harvard Law School in 1981 and began working as a field attorney with the National Labor Relations Board in Chicago. Lewis volunteered for Senator John Glenn’s 1986 re-election campaign where she assisted him with debate preparation and helped him secure endorsements. In 1987, she was hired onto Senator Glenn’s staff, and she served on the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. She served on the committee from 1987-1993, where she was promoted to General Counsel. During this tenure, she helped advance major legislation, including the 1988 Inspector General Act Amendments and the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, and conducted oversight of federal agencies. In 1999, President Bill Clinton appointed Lewis as Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education in 1999. She retired from the role in 2002.
The Lorraine Lewis Oral History dates from 2025 June 25, December 18 and consists of an audio recording and edited transcript of the interview between Lorraine Lewis and Cory Ackerman. Topics discussed in this oral history include Lewis’ early career as a lawyer, her work on Senator John Glenn’s 1986 re-election campaign, her work in Glenn’s office, and as a member of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. Lewis also describes Glenn’s leadership style and how it has influenced her career and her federal government career during President Bill Clinton’s administration.
(1) MP3 file
(1) PDF file
The transcript for this oral history is available in two formats. A physical copy of the transcript is available in the Ohio Public Policy Archive's shared oral history box. An electronic copy of the transcript is available online in the University Libraries Knowledge Bank as a PDF file.