Joan Finney

Joan Marie Finney ( born February 12, 1925 in Topeka, Kansas, † July 28, 2001 ibid ) was an American politician and from 1991 to 1995, the 42nd Governor of the state of Kansas.

Early years and political rise

Joan Finney was born Joan Marie McInroy. She attended until 1942, the High School in Manhattan. Later she graduated from the Washburn University in Topeka a degree in economic history. Between 1953 and 1969 she was a staff member of the Republican U.S. Senator Frank Carlson. Between 1970 and 1972 she was Returning Officer ( Commissioner of Elections ) in Shawnee County. In 1972, she applied unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate. She then moved the party affiliation and became a member of the Democrats. Then she was from 1975 to 1991 Minister of Finance ( State Treasurer ) of Kansas. In 1990 she was elected to the incumbent Mike Hayden for Governor of Kansas.

Governor of Kansas

Joan Finney began her four-year term on 14 January 1991. By that fact they already put on some records. She was the first woman governor of Kansas, and at age 65 the oldest person at the office in this office. Their term of office was uneventful. In 1996, Joan Finney applied again unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate. After she retired from politics. She died in 2001 of liver cancer. Since 1957, she was married to Spencer Finney; the couple had three children.