Frances McClelland 2009 Vision Award Recipient - Nadine Mathis Basha

Nadine Mathis Basha has been an advocate for children throughout her career as an educator, small business owner, and volunteer. She is responsible for the passage of Proposition 203 in November 2006 that created a funding source for and system of early childhood education. Ms. Basha is the chair of First Things First, which is responsible for the implementation and oversight of Proposition 203.

She serves on the Boards of WestEd, Ellis Center for Educational Excellence and is a Trustee for the Committee for Economic Development. She was the chair of the Arizona State School Readiness Board from 2003 to 2006 and was the governor's appointee to the Arizona State Board of Education from 1999 through 2005. She also founded the Children's Action Alliance, a children's public policy advocacy group.

Ms. Basha has received countless awards and recognition for her many accomplishments in the field of early childhood, including The Arizona State University's Distinguished Achievement Award and an Honorary Doctorate from Northern Arizona University. She received her B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Kansas and a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Arizona State University.