Melody Barnes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Melody Barnes
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| Director of the Domestic Policy Council | |
| In office January 20, 2009 – January 10, 2012 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Deputy | Heather Higginbottom Mark Zuckerman |
| Preceded by | Karl Zinsmeister |
| Succeeded by | Cecilia Muñoz |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Melody C. Barnes
April 29, 1964 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Marland Buckner |
| Education | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA) University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (JD) |
Melody C. Barnes, born on April 29, 1964, is an American lawyer and a smart political advisor. She has worked with important leaders and helped shape policies in the United States. She was a key person in President Barack Obama's team.
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Early Life and School
Melody Barnes grew up in Richmond, Virginia. Her dad, Charles H. Barnes Jr., worked for the U.S. Army. Her mom, Mary Frances Rogers Barnes, was a teacher.
Melody went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She earned her first degree in history in 1986. Later, she studied law at the University of Michigan Law School, finishing in 1989. She is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Melody Barnes's Career Journey
Melody Barnes has had an exciting career helping people and working in government.
Before the White House
In 1989, Melody started her career as a lawyer in New York City. She worked for a law firm called Shearman & Sterling.
Later, she worked for the Raben Group. Here, she helped groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). These groups work to protect people's rights. She also worked for the government, helping with laws about equal opportunities. She even helped create the Voting Rights Improvement Act of 1992. This law made it easier for people to vote.
From 1995 to 2003, Melody worked for Senator Edward M. Kennedy. She was a top legal advisor on the Senate Judiciary Committee. This committee helps decide on new laws and judges.
From 2003 to 2008, Melody worked at the Center for American Progress. This is a "think tank," which is a group that does research and suggests ideas for government policies. She was a leader there, helping to develop new policy ideas.
Melody then joined Senator Barack Obama's team for his 2008 presidential campaign. She was a senior advisor on domestic policy. After he won, she helped prepare for his new government.
Before joining the White House, Melody also served on the boards of a charter school and other important organizations.
Working in the White House
When President Obama took office in January 2009, Melody Barnes became a very important person. She was the director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. This council helps the president make decisions about issues inside the country. These issues include things like healthcare, education, and the economy.
In 2009, Melody made history. She played golf with President Obama at Fort Belvoir. She was the first woman to play golf with him during his time as president.
Melody was one of several talented African-American women in high-level positions in the Obama administration.
She also led the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity. In 2010, this group released a big report. It had 70 ideas to help fight the problem of childhood obesity in the United States.
Melody left her role at the White House in January 2012.
After the White House
After leaving the White House, Melody Barnes started her own company. It helps big financial companies and other clients with their plans. She also joined the boards of directors for Ventas, Inc. and Booz Allen Hamilton.
Melody is now the chair of the Aspen Institute's Forum for Community Solutions. This group works to solve problems in communities.
She also worked at New York University (NYU) for a time. She was a vice provost, helping with global student leadership.
Currently, Melody Barnes is a co-director at the University of Virginia's Democracy Initiative. This program studies and teaches about important issues facing democracies around the world. She is also a professor at UVA's Miller Center.
Awards and Special Recognition
In 2016, Melody Barnes received a special award. It was called the "Strong Men & Women in Virginia History" award. The Library of Virginia and Dominion Power gave her this honor.
Personal Life
On June 13, 2009, Melody Barnes married Marland Buckner Jr. He also worked in politics, as a chief of staff for a U.S. Representative.
In 2007, Washingtonian magazine featured Melody. They included her on a list of ten well-dressed women in Washington.
