First Lady - Sally Ganem

First Lady of Nebraska Sally Ganem is the former principal of Howard Elementary School in Fremont, Nebraska.  She was born and raised in Omaha and graduated from Omaha South High School.  She later received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Sally is the honorary chairperson of ServeNebraska, an organization that promotes volunteerism in Nebraska.  The First Lady’s Outstanding Community Service Awards recognize the outstanding work of individuals and groups who, through their volunteer efforts, make Nebraska a better place to live, work, and raise families.

She has taken an active role in the National Governor’s Spouse’s Organization and was elected to the Leadership Council for 2008-2009.  Sally is also Treasurer for Keeping Children Alcohol Free, a national organization of current and former governor spouses.

Sally is active in Mothers Against Drunk Driving as a board member and officer.  She serves on the National Board of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

The First Lady is a member of the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Children and Family Foundation, and the Advisory Board for Methodist Women’s Hospital.

Sally is active in the Fremont community as a member of the Low Income Ministry Board and the Social Sciences Advisory Board of Metropolitan Community College, and received the Lifetime Membership Award from the Fremont Noon Optimists.  She is a past president of both the Fremont Area United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters.  She has been an American Heart Association volunteer and a John C. Fremont Days volunteer, where she started the children’s activities portion of the celebration.

Sally has been involved in several educational organizations, including serving as an officer and on committees in the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA).  She also participates as a member of the Read Aloud Nebraska Board of Directors, and regularly spends her time traveling around the state to read aloud to school groups.

The Governor and First Lady have been married for more than 33 years. They have one son, Sam, who graduated from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont and is a CPA with an Omaha accounting firm.  He is married to Jessica, who is a graduate of the University of Nebraska’s Business College.

First Lady Receives UNO Alumni Achievement Award Nebraska First Lady Sally Ganem is honored during the University of Nebraska at Omaha's summer commencement.  The First Lady Ganem received a Citation for Alumnus Achievement from the school's alumni association. The award is given at each commencement to a graduate who exemplifies career achievement, community service, involvement in business and professional associations, and fidelity to UNO.