Mary Jane Beshear (née Klingner; born December 13, 1946) is an American educator who served as first lady of Kentucky from 2007 to 2015, during the tenure of her husband, former governor Steve Beshear. She is the mother of current Kentucky governor Andy Beshear.
Jane Beshear | |
|---|---|
 Beshear in 2011 | |
| First Lady of Kentucky | |
| In role December 11, 2007 – December 8, 2015 | |
| Governor | Steve Beshear |
| Preceded by | Glenna Fletcher |
| Succeeded by | Glenna Bevin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mary Jane Klingner December 13, 1946 |
| Spouse | Steve Beshear (m. 1969) |
| Children | 2, including Andy |
| Education | University of Kentucky |
Life
editEarly life
editBeshear was born in 1946 as Mary Jane Klingner. She attended the University of Kentucky in Lexington.[1] In 1969, she married Steve Beshear.[2] The couple have two children, Jeffrey Scott Beshear and Andrew Graham Beshear (who is the current Governor of Kentucky), two grandsons, and one granddaughter.[3]
First Lady of Kentucky
edit
In 2007, Beshear assumed the role of First Spouse of Kentucky after her husband, Steve, was elected governor. She held the role until 2015.[2]
A former schoolteacher, Beshear spent five years working with lawmakers to raise the high school dropout age from 16 to 18. She worked to build a consensus for legislation to require students to obtain a diploma or drop out after their 18th birthday. She fostered a compromise that would allow the adoption of the new dropout age to be optional.[4]
In 2015, Beshear helped pass a bill to provide protection from violence from people in dating relationships.[4]
The Jane K. Beshear Capitol Education Center was named in her honor,[5] but less than a year after its opening Governor Matt Bevin renamed the building to honor Kentucky's Gold Star families.[6]
In 2017, Beshear was thrown from her horse while at the Kentucky Horse Park. She was taken to the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital emergency room for treatment. She suffered a broken wrist and arm, as well as a severe concussion.[7][8]
References
edit- ^ "Jane Beshear Inducted into Education Hall of Fame". UKNow. November 23, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ a b "Steven L. Beshear". National Governors Association. December 8, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ "Steve Beshear". Democratic Governors Association
- ^ a b Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear | Connections, December 11, 2015, retrieved August 20, 2023
- ^ "Capitol Education Center To Be Named After First Lady". WUKY. November 24, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ "Gov. Bevin Removes Jane Beshear's Name From Capitol Education Center". WKMS. July 8, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ WPSD Staff (September 29, 2017). "Former first lady Beshear reportedly thrown from horse". WPSD Local 6. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ "Officials: Former Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear injured at Ky Horse Park". ABC 36 News. September 29, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2023.