BOOKIE WILSON, a librarian at Woodford Public Library and a friend of the Collins family, was the primary organizer of the celebration event honoring former Gov. Martha Layne Collins and her contributions to the commonwealth. The event was hosted by the Woodford Chamber and the library. Wilson is pictured welcoming the large gathering. (Photo by Scott White)
By Scott White
Woodford Sun Staff
In 1966, Bill and Martha Layne Collins moved to Versailles after Dr. Collins’ graduation from the University of Louisville Dental School to begin practicing here. Martha Layne began teaching at Woodford County Junior High, and their children, Steve and Marla, attended public school here, eventually graduating from Woodford County High School.
This past Sunday, Woodford County Library, as part of its programming for Women’s History Month, held a celebration of Martha Layne’s life and historic political career – which climaxed with her election as Kentucky’s 56th governor, the first and so far, the only woman ever elected governor in Kentucky, and the seventh woman to ever be elected governor of a state. Her gubernatorial term was marked by many accomplishments, none more so than in the field of education, unsurprisingly given her career as a teacher.
However, she will forever be known for a truly great achievement, which in many ways transcends her historic election: winning a multi-state battle to bring Toyota Manufacturing to Georgetown—an achievement that forever changed the economic trajectory of the state and opened the gates to the movement of foreign manufacturing to the United States on a large scale. It also set Kentucky on the course of becoming what it is now, one of the preeminent automotive manufacturing states in the country, which continues to be a significant piece of the state’s economy, outpacing bourbon and horses.
Collins continued a career in public service when she was term-limited and returned to the private sector. Her career was primarily spent in higher education, beginning at the University of Louisville as an executive-in-residence, and continuing on as a fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Public Policy and Management, a member of Midway University’s board of trustees, serving as the president of St. Catherine’s College near Springfield, serving as a scholar in residence at Georgetown College and finally serving as director of University of Kentucky’s Center for International Business Management.
But this past Sunday, the main floor of the Woodford County Library was full to bursting with old friends, colleagues and admirers of Martha Layne . . . remembering the young woman who came to Versailles and raised a family, who became a shaper of young lives as a teacher and who began her political career when she and Dr. Collins became active in the Kentucky Democratic Couples Club where she drew the eye of Wendell Ford and took on a leadership role in his winning 1971 gubernatorial campaign.
The program began with Woodford County librarian Bookie Wilson, who was the primary organizer of the event, sharing personal memories of the Collins family, including getting to know Steve as students at Georgetown College.
Woodford County Judge-Executive James Kay, who received significant mentoring from Gov. Collins, talked about her career in the context of contemporary Kentucky history and her career as a political trailblazer in becoming not only Kentucky’s first elected woman governor, but second elected woman lieutenant governor when that office was elected separately from the governor.
“Martha Layne Collins’ life is deeply intertwined with the fabric of Kentucky and Woodford County. We celebrate a woman who was a neighbor by choice, a leader by conviction and a trailblazer by nature,” Kay said, “To the world, she was a historic governor. To Kentucky, she was a transformative visionary. But to us, here in Versailles and Woodford County, she was Martha Layne—the teacher from Woodford County Junior High who taught us students that no ceiling is too high if your foundation is strong. It was here in Woodford County, in the heart of the Bluegrass, that Martha Layne’s seeds of her greatness were sown.”
Kay stressed her leadership credentials, pointing to her role as “an educator, shaping the minds of our children. She grew as a civic leader, volunteering in our community and guiding the Jayceettes with grace. She rose as a local advocate, proving that the values of Woodford County—hard work, hospitality and integrity—were the very tools needed to lead a great commonwealth. Martha Layne never lost sight of these roots. Whether she was in the halls of the Capitol or on the global stage, she carried the spirit of Woodford County with her.”
Following her death last November, Gov. Collins was honored by lying in state and her funeral being held at the Old State Capitol. She was buried in the historic Frankfort Cemetery. So, given this, it was appropriate for Kay to conclude his remarks in Versailles, saying: “Governor, your work is done. Your legacy is secure. Your light shines on in every job created, every student inspired and every girl in Kentucky who now knows that she, too, can lead. Kentucky is better because you lived. Woodford County is prouder because you called us home.”
Kay was then followed by Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, who spoke of the inspiration Gov. Collins was to women like her who are involved in the rough and tumble political arena.
“I think about Gov. Collins every single day when I walk the same halls as her, sharing the same title she did,” Coleman said. “I know I would not be here if it were not for her, the example she set and the trail she blazed.”
Gov. Collins’ daughter, Marla Collins Webb, ended the formal part of the event by thanking the many folks who came to celebrate her mother. Keeping her remarks brief, she said, “Our family is so appreciative of Versailles and Woodford County . . . the community supported our mother’s political career and our dad’s dental practice, and Steve and I had our education here where we had so many mentors, teachers and friends who helped raise us. . . . Steve lives in Shelbyville, and Dad and I live in Lexington, but Versailles will always be home.”
Afterwards, folks joined the Collins family, staying well over an hour, catching up, telling stories, laughing, hugging, watching a digital slide show and enjoying refreshments . . . In other words, a good Woodford County time was had by all.