Donna Rozar

Wisconsin state legislator, Class of 1968

What is Donna Rozar known for?

Donna M. Rozar, born Donna Kay Mummau on February 9, 1950, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a notable politician, businesswoman, and nurse. She moved with her parents to Orange County, Virginia, where her father had purchased a farm. Growing up on the farm, she would eventually graduate from Orange County High School in 1968.

In 1971, Rozar earned her nursing diploma from the Virginia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Lynchburg, Virginia. She then worked for several years as an emergency room nurse and nurse practitioner in various medical institutions. She earned her Bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Tennessee in 1981.

Her life took her to a variety of places, from Knoxville, Tennessee to Dallas, Texas and finally to Marshfield, Wisconsin, always maintaining her profession in nursing and starting a family with her husband, Dr. Ed Rozar, whom she married in Orange, Virginia in 1975.

Their life took a turn when Ed was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1989, leading to his eventual retirement. Following Ed's diagnosis, the couple appeared on popular TV shows like The TODAY Show and Good Morning America to share their story. After Ed's passing in 1993, Donna became a national speaker on AIDS awareness. She also owned and operated a company called Town & Country Ventures LLC, which dealt with residential and commercial properties.

Aside from AIDS awareness, Rozar became an avid supporter of pro-life causes, leading her into Republican Party politics in Wisconsin during the 1990s. In 1994, she ran for elected office for the first time, challenging Democratic state representative Donald W. Hasenohrl for his seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Despite losing her first election by a narrow margin, Rozar's political career was far from over.

She was elected into the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 69th district in the 2020 general election. In addition to her role as an assembly member, from April 2000 she has also served as a member of the Wood County Board of Supervisors.

Donna Rozar's journey from a farm in Virginia, to becoming a nurse, an AIDS awareness speaker, and eventually a notable American politician is one of resilience and dedication. More about Donna Rozar can be found at her campaign website.