Background
Barnes, Kay was born on March 30, 1938.
Barnes, Kay was born on March 30, 1938.
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, University Kansas. Master of Science in Secondary Education and Public Administration, University Missouri, Kansas City.
She was the Democratic nominee for Missouri"s 6th congressional district (map) of the United States House of Representatives in the 2008 election against Republican incumbent Sam Graves. A native of Saint Joseph, Missouri, she earned a Bachelor of Surgery degree in secondary education from the University of Kansas and a masters in secondary education from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She was president of Kay Waldo, Incorporated., a human resources development firm until her retirement.
She is a cousin of famous journalist Walter Cronkite.
In 1974, she was one of the first two women on the Jackson County Legislature. She was elected to the Kansas City council in 1979.
Barnes was the first female mayor of Kansas City. Mayor Barnes has received the most cr for her work in improving Downtown Kansas City and working for beginning the revitalization of the urban core.
She is also credited with the Sprint Center arena in Kansas City that opened on October 10, 2007.
She was first elected mayor on her birthday in 1999, and re-elected for a second term in 2003. She was succeeded as mayor of Kansas City on May 1, 2007, when Mark Funkhouser took office. At Missouri Democratic functions, beginning in April, 2007, Mayor Barnes made it clear that she was seriously considering a run for Congress in 2008, and on May 14, 2007, she officially announced her candidacy.
She was endorsed by Emily"s List.
In late 2007, Barnes announced she would run in the Democratic primary for Missouri"s 6th congressional district, held by four-term Republican Sam Graves. She had spent most of her life i the district.
She lives in the 6th"s portion of Kansas City, and grew up in Saint Joseph, the largest city entirely in the 6th. Although the race was initially thought to be competitive, Barnes was soundly defeated, taking only 37 percent of the vote.
She even lost the district"s share of Kansas City.
She is the Distinguished Professor for Public Leadership at Park University.
Co-founder Central Exchange. Volunteer Cross-Lines Cooperative Council. A founder women's resource service University Missouri, Kansas City.
Developer multicultural women's speaking panels through western United States. Member Jackson County (Missouri) Legislature, from 1974. Member Kansas City City Council, from 1979.
Chairman Tax Increment Financing Commission, 1993-1997. President board directors Women's Employment Network. Member or director numerous other organizations, including Women's Foundation Greater Kansas City, Greater Kansas City Sports Commission.
Member chancellor's advisory board of Women's Center, University Missouri, Kansas City. Co-chair of the United States Conference of Mayors Small Business/Partner America Task Force, member of the Conference’s Community Development and Housing Standing Committee. Serves National Advisory Council of Fannie Mae.
Member Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce (committee).