Barbara McIlvaine Smith facts for kids

Barbara McIlvaine Smith is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, she used to be a representative in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She served the 156th district from 2007 to 2010. Before that, she was part of the local government in West Chester, Pennsylvania. She also served as the Vice President of the West Chester Borough Council from 2004 to 2006. Barbara McIlvaine Smith is also a member of the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, a Native American tribe.

About Barbara McIlvaine Smith

Early Life and Education

Barbara McIlvaine Smith has lived in Chester County her whole life. She graduated from West Chester Henderson High School in 1968. Later, in 1995, she earned a degree in Elementary Education from West Chester University. She worked as a 4th-grade teacher at Penn Wood Elementary. She also taught about the environment at the Brandywine Valley Association.

Family and Business

In 1980, Barbara and her husband, Robert, started their own business called Brandywine Water Systems Inc. They ran the business together until Robert passed away in 2007. Their son now runs the water conditioning business. Barbara McIlvaine Smith was married to Robert for 35 years. They have two grown children, a son and a daughter, and one granddaughter.

Serving West Chester Borough Council

Joining Local Government

Barbara McIlvaine Smith decided to get involved in local politics because she disagreed with plans to raise property taxes by 36% in Chester County. She also opposed plans to remove historic buildings to expand the courthouse. To run for a seat on the West Chester Borough Council, she changed her political party from Republican to Democrat. She was elected in November 2001.

Making History on the Council

When she officially joined the Council on January 2, 2002, it was a big moment. For the first time in 100 years, the Council became fully Democratic. She became the Council's Vice President in 2004. During her time on the Council, Barbara McIlvaine Smith led committees focused on parks, recreation, and the environment. She also led the Public Works Committee. She helped start a plan to support Governor Ed Rendell's "Growing Greener II" program, which helps protect Pennsylvania's natural resources.

Serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

First Campaign and Rematch

In 2004, Barbara McIlvaine Smith ran for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She ran against the person already holding the seat, Republican Elinor Z. Taylor. Barbara McIlvaine Smith did not win that election, getting 45 percent of the votes. However, she decided to try again. She chose not to run for another term on the West Chester Borough Council in 2006. Instead, she prepared for a rematch against Taylor that November.

Winning a Historic Election

In late 2005, Elinor Z. Taylor announced she would retire. Republicans in the West Chester area supported Shannon Royer to take Taylor's place. Barbara McIlvaine Smith had taken over Royer's spot on the Borough Council before. On January 17, she officially announced she was running for the open seat. She faced no opposition in the Democratic primary election. She also received support from "Progressive Majority," a group that helps progressive politicians.

On election day, early results showed Royer winning by just 19 votes. But after counting all the special and mail-in ballots, Barbara McIlvaine Smith was declared the winner by 23 votes! This victory was very important. It gave Democrats control of the state house for the first time in 12 years. It also made history because she was the first Native American ever elected to the Pennsylvania legislature. Republicans asked for a hand recount, which finished on December 22. The recount confirmed Barbara McIlvaine Smith as the official winner.

Time in Office

As a representative, she became the main leader of the Subcommittee on Special Education. In December 2007, Barbara McIlvaine Smith was one of the few lawmakers who refused to accept a pay raise from the state. She said she would donate any extra money to charities in her district.

In December 2007, Shannon Royer announced he would challenge Barbara McIlvaine Smith again for her House seat. This was a rematch of their very close 2006 election. On November 4, Barbara McIlvaine Smith was re-elected by more than 2,000 votes.

Leaving Office

In November 2009, she announced she would not run for re-election in 2010. She said she was frustrated with how slowly reforms were happening after a pay raise controversy in 2005.

However, the Democratic candidate for 2010 had to withdraw for health reasons. So, Barbara McIlvaine Smith stepped in to run for re-election as State Representative for the 156th District. She was narrowly defeated by Republican Dan Truitt.