Jane Beshear

Jane Beshear
Beshear in 2011
First Lady of Kentucky
In office
December 11, 2007 – December 8, 2015
GovernorSteve Beshear
Preceded byGlenna Fletcher
Succeeded byGlenna Bevin
Second Lady of Kentucky
In office
December 10, 1983 – December 8, 1987
Preceded byPhyllis George
Succeeded byJudi Armstrong
Personal details
Born
Mary Jane Klingner

December 13, 1946
Spouse(s)Steve Beshear (m. 1969)
Children2 (including Andy Beshear)
EducationUniversity of Kentucky

Mary Jane "Jane" Beshear (née Klingner; born December 13, 1946) is an American educator who served as First Lady of Kentucky from 2007 to 2015. She is married to former governor Steve Beshear and is the mother of current governor Andy Beshear.

Early life and education

Jane Beshear was born Mary Jane Klingner on December 13, 1946. She earned her degree from the University of Kentucky in Lexington.[1]

Family

In 1969, she married Steve Beshear. They have two sons, Jeffrey Scott Beshear and Andrew Graham Beshear (Andy), as well as two grandsons and one granddaughter.[2]

Role as First Lady

When Steve Beshear became governor in December 2007, Jane Beshear took on the duties of First Lady of Kentucky. During her tenure, she:[3]

  • Worked with the state legislature to raise the mandatory high school leaving age from 16 to 18, allowing districts to adopt the change at their own pace.
  • Supported legislation in 2015 to protect individuals from violence in dating relationships.
  • Had the Capitol Education Center named in her honor; its name was later changed by Governor Matt Bevin in 2016.[4]

References

  1. "Jane Beshear Inducted into Education Hall of Fame". UKNow. November 23, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  2. "Steve Beshear". Democratic Governors Association
  3. Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear | Connections, December 11, 2015, retrieved August 20, 2023
  4. "Gov. Bevin Removes Jane Beshear's Name From Capitol Education Center". WKMS. July 8, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2023.