Young Alumnae Award
Helen K. Walker ’98

The Young Alumna Award is given to an alumna who embodies the qualities of character and achievement that Converse alumnae hold as their ideal.

From 1999-2001, Helen clerked for the Vice-Chairwoman of the US House Republican Conference, the South Carolina Department of Revenue and for then-Governor Jim Hodges before earning her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina in 2001.

From 2001-2005, Helen served as Counsel and then Legislative Director for Congressman Jeff Miller of Florida. She managed Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs committee assignments for Miller, who represents five military bases and the first-inthe- nation veterans’ population. Her work to enact law to increase military spouses’ survivor benefits earned her highest professional excellence recognition among Capitol Hill staff by three national veteran organizations.

In 2005, Helen began a two-year stay as Health Care Counsel for the then- Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where she developed hearings, wrote and negotiated legislation, and delivered speeches promoting the Committee’s agenda.

Today, Helen is a lobbyist for South Carolina REALTORS® in Columbia where she develops public policy decisions on behalf of the Association, builds coalitions within the business community, and designs and delivers key messages to government officials and the general public.

Helen is a member of the South Carolina Bar and the Junior League of Columbia. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, swimming, and aspires to adequacy as a runner.