LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Martha Layne Collins, Kentucky’s first female governor, has died at 88, according to a social media post from Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky.
What You Need To Know
- Martha Layne Collins died at 88
- She graduated from the University of Kentucky and pursued a career in education
- She was lieutenant governor under John Y. Brown Jr.
- She was elected governor in 1983
Collins was born and raised in Shelby County before graduating from the University of Kentucky and becoming a school teacher.
In 1971, she got involved in state politics and quickly moved up through the ranks of the Democratic Party. She was elected lieutenant governor in 1979 under then-governor, John Y. Brown, Jr.
Democratic Presidential candidate Walter Mondale escorts Kentucky Gov. Martha Layne Collins to his home upon her arrival, Friday, July 6, 1984 in North Oaks, as she joins the list of potential vice presidential candidates. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
He was frequently out of state, so Collins served as acting governor for over 500 days, more than a quarter of his term.
Layne said, “As women especially we have to be ready. When that window of opportunity opens, that door of opportunity opens, you gotta be ready to go through it. And so do everything you can to prepare yourself. Learn as much as you possibly can – and one thing about women, we’re not afraid of a little hard work.”
In 1983, she defeated Jim Bunning to become the state’s first female governor, becoming the highest-ranking democratic woman in the nation.
Toyota Global Production Center Senior General Manager Yuichi Shibui cuts a ribbon for the opening of Toyota’s North American Production Support Center, in Georgetown, Ky., Friday, Feb. 10, 2005. Accompanying Shibui, from left are former Kentucky Governor, and CEO of the Kentucky World Trade Center, Martha Layne Collins, and Toyota executives Atsushi Niimi and Seiichi Sudo. (AP Photo/ James Crisp)
While in office, she expanded education funding and was known for economic development, leading the charge to bring the Toyota plant to Georgetown and convincing Ford to expand their truck plant in Louisville.
“I can be out shopping and some lady will walk up to me and say ‘Thank you’ and I’m thinking, why is she thanking me? And then she says ‘My husband got a job at Toyota and now we can send the girls to college.’”
Layne Collins leaves a legacy as a trailblazer, inspiring women for decades to come.
She said, “If they tell you it can’t be done…show ‘em.”
Martha Layne Collins High School in Shelby County opened in 2010 and is named after the former governor.
