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 April 29, 1964) is an American lawyer and political advisor. She is known for her work with former President Barack Obama. From 2009 to 2012, she was the director of the Domestic Policy Council at the White House. This group helps the President make decisions about important issues in the United States.
Before working for President Obama, Barnes was an advisor to Senator Edward M. Kennedy. She also worked at a research group called the Center for American Progress. Today, she teaches law at the University of Virginia. She also helps lead the UVA Democracy Initiative.
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Early Life and Education
Melody Barnes was born on April 29, 1964. She grew up in Richmond, Virginia. Her father, Charles H. Barnes Jr., worked for the U.S. Army. Her mother, Mary Frances Rogers Barnes, was a teacher.
Barnes went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She earned a degree in history in 1986. Later, she earned her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1989. Barnes is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Career Journey
Before the White House
In 1989, Melody Barnes started her career as a lawyer. She worked for a law firm in New York City. She helped companies with their finances.
Later, Barnes worked for the Raben Group. Here, she helped groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). She worked to support civil rights and other important causes. She also worked for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This group works to prevent unfair treatment in jobs.
From 1995 to 2003, Barnes worked for Senator Edward M. Kennedy. She was a top legal advisor on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
From 2003 to 2008, Barnes worked at the Center for American Progress. This is a "think tank". Think tanks are groups that do research and suggest ideas for public policy. She was a leader in developing new policies there.
Barnes then became a senior advisor for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. After he won, she helped lead his team. This team prepared for Obama to become president.
Working at the White House
When President Obama took office in January 2009, Barnes joined his team. She became the director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. This meant she helped shape many important policies for the country.
In October 2009, Barnes played golf with President Obama. She was the first woman to play golf with him during his time as president.
Melody Barnes was one of several African-American women in key roles. Other important women included Valerie Jarrett and Susan Rice.
Barnes also led the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity. In 2010, this group released a report. It had many ideas to help fight childhood obesity in the United States.
Barnes left the White House in January 2012.
After the White House
After leaving the White House, Barnes started her own strategy firm. She also joined the boards of directors for two companies.
Barnes is now the chair of the Aspen Institute's Forum for Community Solutions. This group works on community issues.
She also worked at New York University for a time. She helped lead programs for students.
Today, Barnes is a co-director of the University of Virginia's Democracy Initiative. She is also a professor there. This initiative studies important issues facing democracies around the world.
Awards and Honors
In 2016, Melody Barnes received an award. It was called the "Strong Men & Women in Virginia History" award. This award came from the Library of Virginia.
Personal Life
On June 13, 2009, Melody Barnes married Marland Buckner Jr. They were married in Washington, D.C. Marland Buckner Jr. also worked in politics.
In 2007, Washingtonian magazine featured Barnes. They included her on a list of ten well-dressed women in Washington.
