by Liz Daube
Staff Writer
Tallahassee - When Toni Jennings became Florida’s first female lieutenant governor, she decided her office in the Florida Capitol needed a feminine touch. Her decorating goal was color coordination. Her method was theft.
First, she replaced her brown sofa with a blue and yellow couch from a nearby room. Then, she stumbled upon a matching chair in yet another office. Pretty soon, she found herself the subject of an office joke.
“I just said, ‘Oh, could I take this chair? It matches my couch,’ “ said Jennings, observing that no one was likely to say no to her request. “By about the third day, it was: ‘Beware of the lieutenant governor: She’s pilfering furniture.’ ”
After a bit more trading and arranging, Jennings said she feels like the office finally has an “open, light feeling.”
“It’s serene,” said Jennings. ”Except for the desk.”
Some papers and a book titled “Contagious Leadership” grace her desk, and a laptop computer sits nearby. “I am just not the techno queen,” said Jennings. “I can use my Blackberry and laptop, but that’s about it.”
A muted television aired legislative sessions as Jennings told the stories behind her plaques, pictures and knickknacks. She doesn’t have too many items in her office any more, Jennings said, because she got rid of 20 boxes of “road loot” when she left her seat in the Florida Senate.
“I actually had a going-out-of-office sale,” said Jennings. Lobbyists and other groups used to give her things she couldn’t use, so Jennings said she wanted to get rid of the excess for a good cause. The proceeds of her sale went to the American Cancer Society.
Among other items, she sold her collection of elephant figurines. Only one American flag-patterned elephant still resides near her window.
Several of Jennings’ photos feature the Bush family: Pres. George W. Bush, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former Pres. George Herbert Walker Bush.
Upon close inspection, another theme appears: pins. Jennings said she used to be known for wearing scarves, but she wanted a change.
“I stopped wearing them (the scarves) so I can be known for something else,” said Jennings. Smiling, she added, “The pins are usually heisted from my mother.”
Politics were never part of her plan, Jennings said. Her father taught her to contribute to the community and she was involved in student government. She taught elementary school, however, until friends urged her to enter politics. At age 26, she ran for office for the first time – and won.
“Set your goals and work your plan,” Jennings advised women looking to follow in her footsteps. “I’m the first (woman in this office), but I won’t be the last.”
Photos by Miranda G. McLeod