On January 13, 1954, Catherine “Kay” was born the third child to Mary and Richard Hart.  The family owned the local grain elevator, the local restaurant as well as running a hobby farm, so Kay grew up working and knowing the value of a hard day’s work and the dollar.   Kay also tended to work the more traditional “boy’s” jobs, feeling much more comfortable out on the farm breaking horses and chasing cattle than in the kitchen cooking dinner for the family of 8.

That carried through for most of her life as well.  She pioneered women’s rights in our small town of Swartz Creek, MI.  She was elected to the school board at the young age of 19.  At the age of 22, she was elected to the city council.  After trying to join the ranks of volunteer firefighters, and being told she could not fight fires because she was a woman, she decided to run for Mayor and help elicit that change.  After serving for 4 years as the first woman mayor in Swartz Creek, she then turned her well-meaning intentions to help the citizens of the state by gaining a seat within the State House of Representatives.  After two terms, she was defeated yet continued to serve as a legislative aide and clerk to many state committees. After 35 years of being involved she is still very active; currently, she a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Grayling Uptown District Association, Crawford County Historical Society as well as chairwoman of the Crawford County Economic Development Partnership.  In 2006, she was awarded with the coveted Athena Award which is given to a woman who demonstrates excellence in their profession and provides valuable service to their community.

In sitting on committees, school boards, and city councils, she strives to make change and grow the community, and its members, into a better place.  I often wondered why she devoted herself to government and community service.  Kay said, "I enjoy working with people and working to make my community a better place to live and work.... You don't sit back and let others do the work, we all need to work together for our community to advance."