First Female KC Mayor Speaks to UCM Class
Daniel Barber/Muleskinner
Issue date: 11/9/06 Section: News
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The Women's Studies Program hosted Kay Barnes, mayor of Kansas City, Monday in the Union, where she spoke about her career and "Women and Democracy."
Barnes was elected as the first women mayor of Kansas City in 1999, and reelected in 2003.
Prior to becoming mayor, she helped found the Women's Resource Service at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and developed multicultural women's speaking panels throughout the western United States.
In 1974, she was one of two women to serve in the Jackson County Legislature, and she was elected to a four-year term on the city council in Kansas City in 1979. She was named one of seven Outstanding Women in Kansas City in 1977.
Prior to her speech, President Aaron Podolefsky introduced Barnes as a pioneer in women's organizations who has helped in the revitalization of downtown Kansas City- creating more jobs in the area, and improving the city's basic service delivery.
On May 1, 2006, Barnes will finish her second and final term as mayor. For her, the eight years as mayor has meant a lot.
"As I look back on my eight years as mayor, I can honestly say to you that it has been mostly enjoyable, except for having to deal with the aftermath of 9/11 and all the security issues and the anthrax experience at the postal offices in Kansas City," Barnes said.
Barnes had to learn a lot about what it meant to be mayor of a large urban city.
"Being mayor is an interesting experience; you get blamed for everything, and you also get to take credit for some things that may not have been something for which you were responsible," she said.
"The mayor becomes a symbol of so much in the community. A large part of being mayor is projecting a consistent and positive image so that people will trust in your judgment."
Barnes said that she had to deal with some misgivings and challenges as the first female mayor of Kansas City.
"Having done a lot of work with women as far as empowerment and women moving into positions of leadership, there were some misgivings about me when I came into office based on my being a woman."
Barnes was elected as the first women mayor of Kansas City in 1999, and reelected in 2003.
Prior to becoming mayor, she helped found the Women's Resource Service at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and developed multicultural women's speaking panels throughout the western United States.
In 1974, she was one of two women to serve in the Jackson County Legislature, and she was elected to a four-year term on the city council in Kansas City in 1979. She was named one of seven Outstanding Women in Kansas City in 1977.
Prior to her speech, President Aaron Podolefsky introduced Barnes as a pioneer in women's organizations who has helped in the revitalization of downtown Kansas City- creating more jobs in the area, and improving the city's basic service delivery.
On May 1, 2006, Barnes will finish her second and final term as mayor. For her, the eight years as mayor has meant a lot.
"As I look back on my eight years as mayor, I can honestly say to you that it has been mostly enjoyable, except for having to deal with the aftermath of 9/11 and all the security issues and the anthrax experience at the postal offices in Kansas City," Barnes said.
Barnes had to learn a lot about what it meant to be mayor of a large urban city.
"Being mayor is an interesting experience; you get blamed for everything, and you also get to take credit for some things that may not have been something for which you were responsible," she said.
"The mayor becomes a symbol of so much in the community. A large part of being mayor is projecting a consistent and positive image so that people will trust in your judgment."
Barnes said that she had to deal with some misgivings and challenges as the first female mayor of Kansas City.
"Having done a lot of work with women as far as empowerment and women moving into positions of leadership, there were some misgivings about me when I came into office based on my being a woman."
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