About Cathy Wright

Cathy was born in Passaic, NJ and was raised in Massachusetts and Connecticut.  She graduated from Russell Sage College in Troy, NY with a BS in Nursing.  She is married to John D. Wright, Jr., MD, a native of Marietta, GA.  John is a pediatric ophthalmologist at the University of North Carolina.  They have resided in Chatham County for nine years.

Before leaving the workforce to raise a family, Cathy taught nursing at Georgia Baptist School of Nursing in Atlanta, GA.  When her children were older she became the executive director of the Massachusetts Society of Eye Physicians & Surgeons and the Virginia Society of Ophthalmology, handling association and finance management; membership development; community relations; meeting planning; strategic planning; and, public relations and advocacy.

While living in Richmond, VA she also coordinated legislative advocacy for clients such as, American Cancer Society, Virginia Athletic Trainers Association, Virginia Society of Ophthalmology, Virginia Association of School Nurses, and the Virginia Quality Healthcare Network.   Upon moving to North Carolina, she worked with the North Carolina Medical Society assisting with and managing projects related to access to health care; quality and patient safety; grassroots; and political and legislative advocacy.

Cathy ran in 2010 as the Republican candidate for the North Carolina House of Representatives, District 54, against a 30-year, well-entrenched, liberal legislator and Speaker of the House.  Despite her efforts, garnering 43% of the vote, she lost in her first bid for political office.  It was a moral victory, but that is not good enough in her mind, and she has chosen to continue her efforts to effect conservative change in the political and policy arena.  She currently serves as the Chair of the Chatham County Republican Party.

Her two children are grown.  Karen W. Mackall is married to John L. Mackall.  Prior to retiring to raise her family, Karen was a high school English teacher.  They reside in Arlington, VA with their two young children, ages five and three.   Cathy’s son, Major David R. Wright, is a 2000 USAFA graduate and an F-15 fighter pilot.  He and his wife recently move to their new duty station in New Orleans.

Cathy has been a Eucharistic Minister at her church and is a pastoral care visitor at the University of North Carolina Hospitals.  She served three years as a Board of Director for her Property Owners Association.  She is also a member of the Governors Club Women’s Golf Association, the Conservative Women’s Forum, several area Republican Women’s Clubs, as well as the NCFRW.  Cathy enjoys golf, cooking and tries to be faithful about working out in the gym.