History of Martha Layne Collins in Timeline
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.
December 7, 1936: Martha Layne Collins Born
On December 7, 1936, Martha Layne Collins (née Hall) was born. She would later become the 56th Governor of Kentucky.
1954: Shelby County Tobacco Festival Queen
In 1954, Martha Layne Collins won the title of Shelby County Tobacco Festival Queen, marking an early achievement.
1957: Met Billy Louis Collins
In 1957, Martha Layne Hall met Billy Louis Collins while attending a Baptist camp in Shelby County, marking the beginning of their relationship.
1959: Graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree
In 1959, Martha Layne Hall earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics and married Billy Collins shortly after graduation.
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.
1976: Woman of Achievement
In 1976, the Woodford County chapter of Business and Professional Women chose Martha Layne Collins as its Woman of Achievement.
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: Failed to Secure Increased Education Funding
In 1984, Martha Layne Collins failed to secure increased funding for education during the legislative session, leading to a statewide public awareness campaign.
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.
May 10, 1985: Hall of Distinguished Alumni
On May 10, 1985, Martha Layne Collins was named to the University of Kentucky Alumni Association's Hall of Distinguished Alumni.
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.
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.
September 1986: Cost Overruns Reported
In late September 1986, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported that the administration had failed to include the interest on the bonds used to finance the expenditures in its estimation of the cost, and cost overruns had pushed the total cost of the package to about $354 million.
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: 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.
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.
1987: Income Tax Plan Abandoned
In 1987, a plan to increase revenue through changes in the state income tax was abandoned when Wallace Wilkinson, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee who would go on to succeed Collins, announced his opposition to it.
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: 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.
October 14, 1993: Husband's Conviction
On October 14, 1993, Collins's husband, Bill, was convicted in an influence-peddling scandal and sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison.
1993: Husband's Conviction
In 1993, Martha Layne Collins's husband, Dr. Bill Collins, was convicted in an influence-peddling scandal, which damaged her political prospects.
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.
October 10, 1997: Husband's Release
On October 10, 1997, Collinses reunited following Dr. Collins's release from prison.
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.
1999: Martha Layne Collins Leadership Award
In 1999, Women Leading Kentucky created the Martha Layne Collins Leadership Award, and Collins was the first recipient.
2001: Co-chair of Kentucky Task Force
In 2001, Governor Paul E. Patton named Martha Layne Collins co-chair of the Kentucky Task Force on the Economic Status of Women.
2003: Bluegrass Parkway Renamed
In 2003, Kentucky's Bluegrass Parkway was renamed the Martha Layne Collins Bluegrass Parkway in her honor.
January 2005: Kentucky World Trade Center
In January 2005, Martha Layne Collins became the chairwoman and chief executive officer of the Kentucky World Trade Center.
2010: Martha Layne Collins High School Opening
In 2010, Martha Layne Collins High School in Shelby County was named in her honor and opened.
2012: End of Residency at Georgetown College
In 2012, Martha Layne Collins's tenure as an executive scholar-in-residence at Georgetown College came to an end.
November 1, 2025: Martha Layne Collins Death
Martha Layne Collins died on November 1, 2025. She was an American businesswoman and politician from the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
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