... passed yesterday at the age of 88 in her sleep - literally just down the street from me at Richmond Place Assisted-Living/Skilled Nursing Facility.
That she was only the 3rd female governor in history in the United States at that time (1983 to 1987)?
But other states "courting" Toyota did this, too, so why her, why Kentucky?
Because her diplomacy skills are legendary.
That she - a female Democrat governor - was responsible for bringing the Georgetown Toyota plant and thousands of jobs to our state. which was faltering economically due to decline in the coal business, essentially saving us?
Not only that, but the Japanese company, Toyota, was historically male-only and family led, at the time.
How did she do it?
By working with landowners in Georgetown to a deal they all agreed upon, offering discounts and tax incentives, and giving Toyota a huge deal on land purchase, knowing it would pay off in the long run.
Because her diplomacy skills are legendary.
She studied, observed, and respected their customs rather than expecting them to assimilate to ours.
You don't mess with that proven model, you follow it. You get over your American superiority and invincibility complex and adopt their process - not vice versa.
She also was very warm and welcoming, making people feel like honored guests, anticipating their every whim, before they asked.
In fact, anticipating needs and diplomacy is one area where women may actually have a socialized advantage over men (of course, not ALL women or ALL men 😉)
But she could be tough when she needed to be, too - she could say no. She just did it with a sweet Southern accent and a smile on her face 😂
Republicans - in awe of what she accomplished - tried to find something illegal in what she did (despite the fact that this is exactly what they would do, still do, and way worse/illegal - Trump?) - and actually tried to take her to court over the deals she made in Georgetown, as well as congressional inquiry into her spending on Toyota's visits - but nothing she did was illegal - so she won!
She knew it would pay off for everyone - and it did. 😊
Not only is Toyota itself the biggest moneymaker in the state now, but there are several "tier-1" pipeline supplier companies for specific parts that popped up alll around it, also making money and providing jobs.
Also, as a former teacher, she pushed the state for more funding for educational reform and higher teacher salaries and better benefits - and received it!
And she would have won again, had Kentucky allowed 2 terms for governors at that time (which we do now).
She also fixed/leveled out what was formerly known as "death hill" - the curved hill of I-75 that led down to the Ohio River on the Kentucky side, just before reaching the bridges to Cincinnati.
It's still curved and a little steep - it has to be somewhat to get down and across the river - but it used to be super steep - so people would speed down that hill and around that curve, and go right off that cliff to the right!
In fact, I remember as a kid, my older sister and I would hold our hands up like it was a roller coaster, coming back home to Cincy from our grandparents, because it was sort of fun, but also scary! 😂
(And this was at a time when the speed limit was lower, only 55. Now that it's higher, even though the hill has been leveled out, it is still called "death hill" because the speed increase has again raised the number of accidents there.)
Now - on the negative side, her husband - a dentist - made some crooked "pay-to-play" business dealings with contractors, essentially misleading them to believe they had his wife's blessing and would be paid by the state in exchange for political backing, which did not happen.
Martha was neither implicated nor charged, and it is unclear if she knew, but I understand why people would think she did - plus she stayed married to him.
But as far as Martha herself, there is big difference in offering huge discounts to secure business that will be a win-win for everybody in the future versus pay-to-play schemes (which have unfortunately become commonplace in today's politics).
Regardless, she became very quiet politically after leaving office, focusing on educational improvements.
Personally, I never heard a bad word about Martha Layne Collins from either Democrats OR Republicans.
I heard grumbling before she took office - the usual-subject misogynists - but not afterwards.
Because she brought Toyota and thousands of new jobs to our state - period - a feat even supposedly business-minded Republican men before and after her couldn't accomplish.
In fact, no man from either party accomplished such a feat before or since, with the next closest being our current governor, (D) Andy Beshear, bringing SV automotive electric battery manufacturing here a couple of years ago.
Even "never-a-woman-in-charge" type of men had to admit she was exceptional - of course, considering her an "exception to the rule" stereotype of women - but at least it was a start? 😂
Only to be later undone in the Trump era. 😏
Speaking of, in a time where we have returned to maligning women, Democrats, and anyone else who isn't a white-male Christian - the definition of Christianity and morality once again reverting again back to being almost exclusively reproductive/gender standards VS Christ's definition - her death and legacy should remind us of what is possible again.
She is testament to what the right candidate can accomplish on behalf of those they govern - regardless of gender, race, religion, or political party - either those of the candidate or those they govern.
Because a good leader can and should lead everyone - work for the common good for all and strive towards unity.
Put that in your tacky faux-gold pipe and smoke it, Trump!
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