Martha Layne Collins

Martha Layne Collins served as governor of Kentucky from 1983-1987, the only woman to hold this position.

Collins was born on December 7, 1936, in Shelby County, Kentucky. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1959 with a bachelor of science in home economics. After graduation, she worked as a school teacher.

Collins became active in gubernatorial and congressional campaigns in 1971. In 1975, she was elected clerk of the Kentucky Supreme Court. In 1979, she was elected lieutenant governor of Kentucky. In 1983, Collins was elected governor, and in 1984, she chaired the Democratic National Convention..

Follwoing her term as governor, Collins served in administrative and teaching positions at several universities.

Sources:

National Governors Association. (n.d.). Gov. Martha Layne Collins. Retrieved on May 20, 2020, from https://www.nga.org/governor/martha-layne-collins.