Kay Coles James facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kay Coles James
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| Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia | |
| In office January 15, 2022 – August 29, 2023 Acting: January 15, 2022 – March 2, 2022 |
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| Governor | Glenn Youngkin |
| Preceded by | Kelly Thomasson |
| Succeeded by | Kelly Gee (acting) |
| President of The Heritage Foundation | |
| In office January 1, 2018 – December 1, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Edwin Feulner |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Roberts |
| Director of the Office of Personnel Management | |
| In office July 11, 2001 – January 31, 2005 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Deputy | Dan Blair |
| Preceded by | Janice Lachance |
| Succeeded by | Linda M. Springer |
| 6th Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources | |
| In office January 15, 1994 – March 12, 1996 |
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| Governor | George Allen |
| Preceded by | Howard Cullum |
| Succeeded by | Robert Metcalf |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Madeline Kay Coles
June 1, 1949 Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Charles E. James Sr. |
| Education | Hampton University (BS) |
Kay Coles James (born June 1, 1949) is an American public official. She has held many important jobs in government and other organizations. From 2022 to 2023, she was the secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia. She also led the United States Office of Personnel Management under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005.
Before that, she worked for the state of Virginia as the secretary of health and human resources. She was also a dean at Regent University. Kay Coles James is the founder of the Gloucester Institute. This center helps young African Americans develop leadership skills. She was also the first African-American woman to lead The Heritage Foundation, a well-known conservative research group.
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Early Life and Education
Kay Coles James grew up in Richmond, Virginia. She was the only girl in her family, with five brothers. Her father worked many different jobs, like a guard and doing maintenance. Her mother worked as a dental technician and cleaned houses to support the family.
She went to Chandler Junior High School and John Marshall High School in Richmond. She later graduated from Hampton University. There, she studied history and secondary education.
Career Highlights
Kay Coles James has served on several important boards. These include the School Board for Fairfax County, Virginia and the Virginia Board of Education. She also worked with Focus on the Family, a conservative group. She was a senior leader at the Family Research Council, which is a Christian group that works to influence laws.
Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush appointed her to the National Commission on Children. This group gives advice on issues affecting children. She also worked for President George H. W. Bush in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. She was also an Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
In the mid-1990s, she was the dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University. She also helped organize the 1996 Republican National Convention.
Leading the Office of Personnel Management
From 2001 to 2005, Kay Coles James was the director of the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This office is like the human resources department for the entire U.S. federal government. It helps manage and support federal employees.
After her time at OPM, she was appointed to the Board of Visitors for Virginia Commonwealth University.
Work at The Heritage Foundation
On December 19, 2017, Kay Coles James became the president of The Heritage Foundation. This is a very important conservative "think tank" in Washington, D.C.. A think tank is a group that does research and suggests ideas for government policies. She was the first African-American and the first woman to hold this top position. She had been a member of their Board of Trustees since 2005.
In 2018, President Donald Trump asked her to join the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission. This group celebrated 100 years of women having the right to vote.
In March 2019, she was asked to join a special council by Google. This council was set up to give advice on the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, some Google employees had concerns about her views. Because of these concerns, Google decided to end the council on April 5, 2019. Kay Coles James left The Heritage Foundation in 2021.
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia
Kay Coles James later helped Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin prepare to take office. In January 2022, Governor Youngkin appointed her as the secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia. She left this role in August 2023. She then took on a leadership position for Governor Youngkin's "Spirit of Virginia" PAC. A PAC is a group that raises money to support political candidates.
Personal Life
Kay Coles James is a mother of three adult children. Her husband is Charles E. James Sr.. He also held a government position during the George W. Bush administration.
Honors and Awards
In 2004, Kay Coles James was chosen as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. This is a special honor for people who have done great work in public service.
In 2018, she was named one of the Library of Virginia's Virginia Women in History. She has also received several honorary degrees, including one from Pepperdine University. She has also been given awards for her public service and leadership.
Images for kids
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Kay Coles James
