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Martha Layne Collins, Kentucky’s First Female Governor, Dies at 88

Tributes focus on her Toyota deal that reshaped Kentucky’s economy.

Overview

  • Gov. Andy Beshear announced her death and praised her as a "powerhouse" who made an undeniable difference.
  • Collins served as Kentucky’s 56th governor from 1983 to 1987 after serving as lieutenant governor from 1979 to 1983.
  • Her administration secured the Toyota auto assembly plant, a centerpiece of her economic development strategy.
  • She emphasized improving public education, reflecting her background as a teacher and a long-running priority of her tenure.
  • Attorney General Russell Coleman offered condolences praising her barrier-breaking leadership, and services had not yet been finalized.