Circle of Red

Circle of Red is a society of women who have the passion, the motivation and inspiration to drive and influence change in the community regarding heart health of women in their community and across the country. Circle of Red Women help support the mission of Go Red For Women® by making a personal financial commitment to the movement. Learn more at the event or Join Today!

Click HERE to join us!

Make it your mission to become a part of the Circle of Red. Your support, influence and gift will make a tremendous impact in the lives of so many women. Please contact Beth at beth.amelon@heart.org or (402) 810-6842 for more information on how you can join the Circle of Red.

Sponsored locally by

2018 Circle of Red Chair

Diane is a native Nebraskan.  She grew up in Omaha and graduated from Creighton University with a degree in Sociology.

Diane has had a life-long interest in volunteerism and has served on many Omaha community boards such as the Joslyn Art Museum Board of Governors, Clarkson Hospital Service League, the Omaha Symphony Guild, the Eppley Cancer Center Board of Advisors, the Board of Trustees of CUES at Sacred Heart School, Duchesne Academy Board. The Board of Directors of Girls, Inc. and Omaha Town Hall.

She currently serves on many Omaha community boards including the Family Service Advisory Committee, the Christian Urban Education Service Advisory Board, the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures Board of Directors, and is a member of the Healing Art Board at the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, and the Nebraska Wesleyan University Board of Governors.

As First Lady of Nebraska Diane continued her commitment to volunteerism by chairing the Q-125, a statewide celebration of Nebraska’s 125^th birthday of statehood.  She was also chairman of Good Beginnings, a statewide initiative with programs that worked with families who were at risk for child neglect or child abuse.

During her husband’s term of office as Governor she supported and promoted many causes such as Breast Cancer Awareness, Special Olympics, Women’s Athletics at UNO, and the annual Governor’s  Conference on Volunteerism, which she began in 1992.  She also served on statewide boards including the Friends of Lied, Keep Nebraska Beautiful, the Nebraska Art Association, and the NebraskaLand Foundation.

Her final project as First Lady was the renovation of the Governor’s Residence.  The 16-month restoration was completed in August, 1998.

After moving to Washington when Ben was elected senator in 2000 Diane continued her interest in volunteering.  She chaired numerous benefits and galas including the Ambassador’s Ball, a fundraising gala for Muscular Sclerosis; The Spirit of Mount Vernon Benefit; and the March of Dimes Gourmet Gala.  In 2004 she was chairman for the annual Senate Spouses Luncheon honoring First Lady Laura Bush.

Diane enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren and friends. Some of her interests include bridge, golf, reading and traveling.

She is married to former Governor and Senator Ben Nelson.  They have four children and five grandchildren. 

Crimson Society Members

Roberta Amis ~ Judy Baker

Cindy Bay ~ Elizabeth Cassling

Connie Determan ~  Kate Dodge ~ Diane Duren

Jane Ellsworth ~ Cindy Heider ~ Pamela Hernandez

M. Jane Huerter ~  Stephanie Koraleski ~ Gerry Lauritzen

Jodie Mackintosh ~ Nancy McCarthy ~ Diane Nelson

Cynthia Peacock ~  Jackie Pueppke ~ Polina Schlott ~ Ann Stinson

Mary Vandenack ~  Barbara Weitz ~ Janet Whitson

Gail Yanney ~ Shirley Young

Circle of Red Members

Judy Bates ~ Lisa Bockman ~ Lynne Boyer ~ Esther Brabec

Diane Briggs ~ Linda Burt ~  Joan Carnaby ~ Karla Cassels

Suzanne Chambers ~ Judith Clark ~ Susie Cohn ~ Sylvia Cohn

Susan Cutler ~ Linda Daugherty ~  Dawn Dinsdale ~ Jennifer de Soto

Jessica Delaney ~ Kathy English ~ Julie Fritz ~  Carol Hahn ~ Carey Hamilton

Denise Hill ~ Annette Huff ~ Mary Jessen Sommer ~ Patricia Kearns

Nicole Konen ~ Wende Kotouc ~ Jackie Kroeger ~ Diny Landen ~ Emily Langdon

Mary Jo Langdon ~ Helen Merritt-Genore ~  Jane Miller ~  Mary Kay Miller

Amy Nieman ~ Jennifer Pansing ~ Sandy Parker ~  Anita Peterson ~ Tricia Riggins

Anne Rismiller ~  Amy Scott ~ Lynette Singer ~ Lynn Smith ~  Liz Spitzenberger ~ Joan Squires

Diane Stewart ~ Mary Ann Strasheim ~ Sharon Swartzbaugh ~  Carol Thomas ~  Jann Thomas

Jayne Timmerman ~ Phyllis Toebben ~  Dorothy Truhlsen ~ Dian Warren ~ Judy Wickersham