Former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins passed away Saturday at the age of 88.
Collins was the Commonwealth’s 56th Governor, and was the first and only woman to hold the state’s highest office.
She served the residents of Kentucky from 1983 to 1987 as Governor, and was also Lt. Governor for a four year term.
Her administration was based on a commitment to education and economic development, with Collins successfully bringing Toyota’s first North American manufacturing plant to Georgetown in 1986.
The landmark achievement created thousands of jobs and attracted numerous Japanese automotive supply companies.
Following her time as Governor, Collins was president of St. Catherine College in Springfield, and later taught leadership classes at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
