the time, relocated to Washington, D.C. In 1998, Margaret received a call, and the First Lady offered her the position of Deputy Director of the White House Visitors Office.
INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN Margaret worked for three women who greatly impacted her life and career. All three were intelligent and had a drive to help others less fortunate then themselves.
In her role, Margaret helped facilitate 1.5 million visitors to the White House each year, ranging from diplomats and heads of state to Hollywood celebrities, including Ricky Martin, Julie Andrews and Sammy Sosa. Many people from Arkansas visited the White House and had the opportunity to take personal tours and attend events during Clinton’s presidency. Margaret helped oversee annual events, like the Easter Egg Roll, the National Christmas Tree Lighting, the Fourth of July celebration and welcoming arrival ceremonies for diplomats and heads of state.
Betty Bumpers, former Arkansas first lady and wife of U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers, was an advocate for world denuclearization, which Margaret supported in her role as State Director of Peace Links Worldwide, Inc.
(Back row: left to right) daughter Melissa McKenney, Carl Whillock, U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright, Margaret Whillock and Rudy Moore, Jr. (Front row) Sons Ben and Brennan Carter.
Jo Luck was CEO of Little Rock-based Heifer International, where Margaret served as Vice President of the organization’s capital campaign. Luck started the wildly successful Heifer worldwide Gift Catalog program.
The White House staff worked together seamlessly and Margaret could count on friends and colleagues if she needed Hillary Clinton provided Margaret with the job of occasional help with Caroline. She had been taught lifetime and has been a loyal friend for more than to give White House tours from the Secret Service. 40 years. They would last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes Margaret continues to travel and per tour. visit her large and growing family. “Working at the Her children, 14 grandchildren and White House was “Once one of my tours ran late, four great grandchildren are a and some of the Secret Service cherished part of her life. Daughter an honor and members looked after Caroline for Sallie C. Overbey, an architect, and me,” Margaret remembers with a sons Larry B. Carter, Managing privilege and laugh. “When I caught up with them, Director of a private equity firm, an exhilarating Caroline was at the Old Ebbitt Grill Brennan M. Carter, an Insurance across the street eating pancakes Specialist, and Benjamin K. Carter, experience for with about eight Secret Service a Senior Director of Development which I’ll be men.” at UA, all live in Arkansas. Daughter Jenny C. Dakil is a Foundation forever grateful.” Margaret saw the First Lady make it Executive Director with the Norman, a priority to ensure all visitors Okla., Public Schools, and Melissa felt welcome. C. McKenney is a Group and Events Manager who lives in Jasper, Alberta, Canada. “She asked me to attend forums, receptions, conferences and even state dinners and to pick out As a Butterfield resident, Margaret has eased into a the person in the room with no one to talk to and comfortable rhythm of active retirement, spending make them feel welcome – and be sure they left time with love ones, and keeping a pulse on causes feeling good about having been at the that are important to her. White House.” “Working at the White House was an honor and privilege and an exhilarating experience for which I’ll be forever grateful.” 8 BUTTERFIELD LIFE
SEPTEMBER + OCTOBER 2019