About Tipper Gore
Mary Elizabeth Gore (born August 19, 1948) is the wife of Al Gore and Second Lady
of the United States from 1993 until 2001.
In addition to her close partnership with her husband, Al Gore, Tipper Gore is a
well-known advocate for families, women, and children in her own right. As
President Clinton's adviser on mental health issues, she has fought to end
discrimination in health care for those with mental illnesses. She has been a
leader on issues ranging from children's health, to homelessness, to AIDS, to
physical fitness. 
Born on August 19, 1948 as Mary Elizabeth Aitcheson, she was nicknamed Tipper
by her mother. She grew up in Arlington, Virginia, and met Al at his High School
Senior Prom. They were married on May 19, 1970, while Al was in the Army.
That same year, Tipper received her B.A. in Psychology from Boston University and in 1975, a Master's Degree in Psychology from George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. She became an avid photographer and worked as a photo-journalist at The Tennessean until her husband was elected to Congress in 1976.
She immediately founded the Congressional Wives Task Force to focus on the issue of violence in children's television programming.
In 1985, she co-founded the Parents' Music Resource Center (PMRC), along with Susan Baker, to help give parents a greater ability to protect their children from inappropriate material in today's popular culture. The PMRC won its fight for consumer labels on music with violent or explicit lyrics—labels that are still in use today. In 1987, she authored her first book, "Raising PG Kids in an X-Rated Society," in which she detailed her work on behalf of parents and families.
A major advocate for the homeless, she co-founded and chaired Families for the Homeless in 1986, a non-partisan partnership of families that works to raise public awareness of homeless issues.
As Mental Health Policy Advisor to President Clinton, Tipper Gore has worked tirelessly to educate Americans about the need for quality, affordable mental health care. Regarded by many as the most visible advocate for mental health care services nationwide, she has served as a vocal proponent for the parity of mental health benefits with those of health benefits under medical insurance plans.
In 2000, Tipper Gore became Chair of the National Youth Fitness Campaign of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Her goal is to work with the Council to promote youth physical fitness and educate Americans, particularly young girls, about the positive physical and mental benefits to fitness and physical activity.
In 2002, Tipper was urged by her supporters to run for the vacant senate seat her husband once held in Tennessee, which was being vacated by Fred Dalton Thompson. However Tipper declined the offer stating it was not the right thing for her at that time.
The Gores are known for being strong on family. In 2002, her and husband Al wrote two books on family values and the transformed American family: Joined at the Heart & Spirit of Family. Tipper Gore has also worked closely with her husband on the annual "Family Reunion" family policy conferences they lead each year in Nashville—which have promoted and encouraged crucial measures to help families such as Family and Medical Leave, the V-Chip, after-school care, and new efforts to promote family-centered health care.
Al and Tipper Gore now reside in Nasvhille, TN. They have four children: Karenna (August 6, 1973), Kristin (June 5, 1977), Sarah (January 7, 1979) and Albert III (October 19, 1982). They also have two grandchildren: Anna and Wyatt.
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