Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Martha Layne Collins

How Martha Layne Collins built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Martha Layne Collins is a former American businesswoman and politician. She made history as the 56th Governor of Kentucky (1983-1987), being the first and, to date, only woman to hold that position. Before becoming governor, she was the 48th Lieutenant Governor under John Y. Brown Jr. Collins' election as governor marked her as the highest-ranking Democratic woman in the United States. She was considered a potential vice-presidential nominee for Walter Mondale in 1984, though Geraldine Ferraro was ultimately selected.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1966: Moved to Versailles, Kentucky

In 1966, the Collinses moved to Versailles, Kentucky, where Martha taught at Woodford County Junior High School.

1967: Worked on Henry Ward's Gubernatorial Campaign

In 1967, the Collinses worked on behalf of Henry Ward's unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign, continuing their involvement in politics.

1971: Co-Chaired Wendell Ford's Gubernatorial Campaign

In 1971, Martha Layne Collins co-chaired Wendell Ford's gubernatorial campaign in Kentucky's 6th congressional district.

1972: Worked for Huddleston's Campaign for the United States Senate

In 1972, Martha Layne Collins worked for Huddleston's campaign for the United States Senate after serving as secretary of the state Democratic party and as a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention.

1972: Worked on Walter Dee Huddleston's Senate Campaign

In 1972, Martha Layne Collins worked on Walter Dee Huddleston's United States Senate campaign, furthering her political experience.

1975: Secretary of the State's Democratic Party and Elected Clerk of the Kentucky Court of Appeals

In 1975, Martha Layne Collins was chosen as secretary of the state's Democratic Party and was elected clerk of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, marking significant steps in her political career.

1975: Won Election for Clerk of the Kentucky Court of Appeals

In 1975, Martha Layne Collins won the election for Clerk of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, defeating Joseph E. Lambert.

1977: Kentucky Executive Director of the Friendship Force

In 1977, Governor Julian Carroll named Martha Layne Collins Kentucky Executive Director of the Friendship Force.

1979: Secured Democratic Nomination and Elected Lieutenant Governor

In 1979, Martha Layne Collins secured the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor and was elected in the general election.

1979: Elected Lieutenant Governor

In 1979, Martha Layne Collins was elected Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, serving under Governor John Y. Brown Jr.

1982: Named to the Board of Regents

In 1982, Martha Layne Collins was named to the board of regents of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville.

October 1983: Unemployment Rate

In October 1983, Kentucky's unemployment rate was 9.7 percent.

1983: Collins Becomes Governor of Kentucky

In 1983, Martha Layne Collins became the 56th Governor of Kentucky, making her the first woman to hold the office. She served until 1987.

1983: Elected as Kentucky's First Woman Governor

In 1983, Martha Layne Collins defeated Jim Bunning to become Kentucky's first woman governor, focusing her administration on education and economic development.

1983: Secured Democratic Nomination for Governor

In 1983, Martha Layne Collins secured the Democratic nomination for governor, edging out Harvey I. Sloane and Grady Stumbo.

1984: Presided over the 1984 Democratic National Convention

In 1984, Martha Layne Collins presided over the Democratic National Convention in San Francisco and was considered but ultimately not chosen as a vice-presidential candidate.

1984: Consideration as VP Candidate

In 1984, Martha Layne Collins was considered as a potential running mate for Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale, but Geraldine Ferraro was chosen instead.

1984: Proposed Tax Package for Education Funding

In 1984, as governor, Martha Layne Collins proposed a tax package to increase education funding, including raising income tax and extending sales tax, which faced opposition and was later revised.

1984: Withdrawal of Tax Increase Request

In 1984, due to legislators' refusal to raise taxes, Governor Collins withdrew her request for a tax increase and submitted a continuation budget instead.

January 1985: Renewed Push for Education Funding

In January 1985, Martha Layne Collins renewed her push for additional education funding and changes by appointing herself secretary of the state Education and Humanities Cabinet.

March 1985: First Trade Mission to Japan

In March 1985, Collins embarked on the first of several trade missions to Japan.

June 1985: Education Package Announcement

In June 1985, Martha Layne Collins announced a new education package that included a five percent pay raise for teachers, reduced class sizes, construction funding, aides for kindergarten teachers, and a "power equalization" program for school districts.

October 1985: Trade Missions to Japan and China

In October 1985, Collins returned to Japan and visited China to encourage opening Chinese markets for Kentucky goods and to establish a "sister state" relationship with China's Jiangxi province.

1985: Filed Lawsuit Leading to Education Reform

In 1985, Martha Layne Collins filed a lawsuit that led to a landmark Kentucky Supreme Court ruling, resulting in the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990.

1985: Lawsuit Filed

In 1985, under Martha Layne Collins leadership, a lawsuit was filed. This lawsuit would eventually lead to a landmark 1989 decision by the state Supreme Court, which in turn prompted the passage of the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 that overhauled Kentucky's entire K-12 school system and created the state funded Kentucky Preschool Program.

October 1986: Initial Court Ruling on Toyota Incentives

In October 1986, Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Ray Corns issued an initial ruling that the incentive package for Toyota did not violate the state constitution.

November 1986: Constitutional Amendment Defeat

In November 1986, a constitutional amendment to make the state superintendent of education an appointive office, which was supported by Collins, was defeated by Kentucky voters, despite Collins leading the campaign in favor of it.

1986: Board Meetings Missed

In 1986, Martha Layne Collins began missing board meetings at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

1986: Secured Toyota Plant in Georgetown

In 1986, Martha Layne Collins successfully used economic incentives to bring a Toyota manufacturing plant to Georgetown, Kentucky.

1986: Incentive Package Approved

In 1986, the legislative session approved the incentive package for Toyota, which was contingent upon legislative approval of $125 million in incentives promised to Toyota by Collins and state Commerce Secretary Carroll Knicely.

June 11, 1987: Kentucky Supreme Court Ruling on Toyota Incentives

On June 11, 1987, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the incentive package for Toyota served a public purpose and was therefore constitutional.

October 7, 1987: Special Legislative Session

On October 7, 1987, Collins called a special legislative session to address a deficit in the worker's compensation Special Fund, leading to a plan to increase assessments on worker's compensation premiums.

October 1987: Unemployment Rate Decline

By October 1987, Kentucky's unemployment rate had fallen to 7.2 percent, reflecting job growth under Collins's economic development plan.

December 8, 1987: Term Expiration

On December 8, 1987, Collins's term as governor expired, making her ineligible for consecutive terms under the Kentucky Constitution.

1987: End of Governorship

In 1987, Martha Layne Collins's term as the 56th Governor of Kentucky came to an end.

1988: Post-Governorship Positions

In 1988, Martha Layne Collins accepted a position as "executive in residence" at the University of Louisville and started an international trade consulting firm in Lexington.

1989: Kentucky Supreme Court Decision

In 1989, a lawsuit filed in 1985 led to a landmark decision by the state Supreme Court, which in turn prompted the passage of the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 that overhauled Kentucky's entire K-12 school system and created the state funded Kentucky Preschool Program.

1989: Fellow at Harvard

In 1989, after fulfilling her commitment to the University of Louisville, Collins was named a fellow of the Harvard Institute of Politics' Harvard Kennedy School.

1990: President of Saint Catharine College

From 1990 to 1996, Martha Layne Collins served as the president of Saint Catharine College near Springfield, Kentucky.

1990: Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 Passed

In 1990, the Kentucky Education Reform Act was passed, overhauling the state's K-12 education system and creating a state-funded preschool system as a result of a lawsuit filed in 1985 under the leadership of Martha Layne Collins.

1990: Kentucky Education Reform Act

The Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 was passed, overhauling Kentucky's entire K-12 school system and creating the state funded Kentucky Preschool Program.

1996: Resignation from Saint Catharine College

In 1996, Collins resigned as president of Saint Catharine College to direct the International Business and Management Center at the University of Kentucky.

1996: End of Presidency at Saint Catharine College

In 1996, Martha Layne Collins's tenure as the president of Saint Catharine College came to an end.

1998: Executive Scholar-in-Residence at Georgetown College

From 1998 to 2012, Martha Layne Collins served as an executive scholar-in-residence at Georgetown College.

1998: Position at Georgetown College

In 1998, after her contract with the University of Kentucky expired, Collins took a part-time position as "executive scholar in residence" at Georgetown College.