Rosemary Janet Mair McGrath was born in Much Wenlock, Shropshire. Her family moved to the Rhymney Valley soon after. As a teenager she moved to Newport with her parents and brother John; there she attended St Julian's High School. In the early 1960s she met her husband Derek Butler, whom she married in 1966. He was a lecturer in art and design at Newport Art college, which was at the time based in Clarence Place. They have two daughters, Kate and Alice
Local politics
In 1971 Butler joined the Labour Party. She was elected to Newport Borough Council from Caerleon ward in 1973, and played an important part in Labour administrations on the council as Deputy Leader and Mayor of Newport in 1989–90. She was Chair of the Leisure Services Committee for 12 years.
National Assembly
At the first Senedd election in 1999, Butler was selected as Labour candidate for Newport West which she won. She was appointed Secretary for Education: Minister for Children and Young People by Alun Michael but held office only for a year, leaving in October 2000 when the new First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, formed a coalition government. She was Chair of the Senedd's Culture, Welsh Language and Sport Committee and served on the Panel of Chairs. She led the British Council activities in the Senedd and also represents the Senedd on the European Committee of the Regions where she is a member of the Bureau of the Committee.
On 9 May 2007, Butler was picked as the Labour group's nominee for Dirprwy Llywydd of the Senedd Cymru, a position vacant by the defeat of the previous holder and which had to be held by a member from a different party to the Llywydd. Her election by the whole of the Senedd was not opposed. Butler was appointed the second Llywydd of the Senedd Cymru on 11 May 2011, following Dafydd Elis-Thomas. Butler was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2014 New Year Honours for political and public services, particularly to women.
Women in Public Life Campaign #POWiPL
In 2012 Rosemary Butler AM launched a campaign to address the need for more women to apply for and take up public roles and appointments. Her Women in Public Life campaign aims to ensure that women are fairly represented at all levels of public life in Wales. During the campaign, Rosemary has hosted many high-profile influential speakers at the Senedd, most notably former Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard to talk about gender equality and encourage women to put themselves forward for public appointments. She also launched a website; to enable women in Wales to search for public appointments. In October 2014, Rosemary launched a for women who wanted to gain experience in public life and undergo training to help prepare them for decision making roles over a period of 18 months. The scheme is delivered by and on behalf of the Senedd Cymru.
