Kennelly, Barbara B. (Barbara Bailey), 1936-

Barbara Bailey Kennelly represented Connecticut in Congress for 17 years, leaving in 1999 as the highest ranking woman member in the history of the House of Representatives at that time. Her extensive career is the epitome of what a public servant should be, as she exhibited an unwavering dedication to helping those in need, most notably children, the elderly, and working families, not only in Connecticut but around the world. Throughout her political career, Ms. Kennelly fought for benevolent causes with strong conviction, and continues to do so today as the president of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare in Washington, D.C. .

Barbara Bailey was born into a politically active family 10 July 1936 in Hartford, Connecticut, where she was also raised. She received her B.A. in economics from Trinity College ( Washington, D.C. ) in 1958; a certificate in business administration from the Harvard Business School in 1959; and her M.A. in government from Trinity College ( Hartford, Connecticut ) in 1971. Over her career, she has also received several honorary doctorates from schools including Mount Holyoke College ( South Hadley, Massachusetts ); the University of Hartford ( Hartford, Connecticut ); Sacred Heart University ( Bridgeport, Connecticut ; and Saint Mary's College ( South Bend, Indiana ). She was married to the late James J. Kennelly, who worked as an attorney and served as a Connecticut State Representative and Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, with whom she has three daughters and a son.

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