Kennelly, Barbara (1936–)

views updated

Kennelly, Barbara (1936–)

American politician and congressional representative. Born Barbara Bailey in Hartford, CT, July 10, 1936; dau. of John Bailey (politician) and Barbara (Leary) Bailey; Trinity College, Washington, DC, BA in Economics, 1958; graduate of Harvard-Radcliffe School of Business Administration, 1959; Trinity College, MA, 1973; m. James J. Kennelly (lawyer and CT legislator), Sept 26, 1959; children: Eleanor Bride Kennelly; Barbara Leary Kennelly; Louise Moran Kennelly; John Bailey Kennelly.

Entered political arena (1975), when she became a member of Hartford Court of Common Council; served as secretary of state for Connecticut (1979–81); as a Democrat, elected to Congress (1982); was a congressional representative until 1998, the 3rd woman ever appointed to the prestigious Ways and Means Committee; later became 1st woman to serve on Select Committee on Intelligence, and 1st to be appointed Chief Deputy Majority Whip; early in 105th Congress, was reelected for a 2nd term as vice chair of Democratic Caucus, making her the highest-ranking woman and the 4th-ranking Democrat in the House; decided to forgo a 9th term in Congress to enter the Connecticut gubernatorial race (1997) but was defeated.

See also Women in World History.

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

Kennelly, Barbara (1936–)

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article

You Might Also Like