Wanda Brownlee Paige
Wanda Brownlee Paige | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the 35th district | |
| Assumed office 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Marvin Robinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 30, 1956 Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Simpson College |
Wanda Brownlee Paige (born September 30, 1956) is an American educator and politician serving as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives for district 35. She was previously a school board member of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools.
Early life and education
Wanda Kay Paige was born on September 30, 1956, in Kansas City, Kansas.[1][2] She is the daughter of Eddie and Aser Lee Brownlee and has four brothers and four sisters.[1] Paige attended Hawthorne Elementary School, Northwest Middle School, and Wyandotte High School, from which she graduated in 1974.[1] Paige pursued higher education at Simpson College, earning a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in teaching social studies.[1] She furthered her education by taking adult education courses at Drake University, and completing English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at Kansas State University.[1]
Career
Paige began her teaching career at Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, where she served for 30 years before retiring in May 2012.[1] Over the course of her career, she taught social studies at three middle schools: Argentine Middle School (24 years), Coronado Middle School (1 year), and Central Middle School (5 years).[1] Her subject areas included World History, Geography, Kansas History, and American History.[1]
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Paige was involved in several extracurricular activities and initiatives.[1] She tutored students before and after school, served as an advisor for the peer mentoring program, and coached basketball, track, and volleyball teams.[1] She also sponsored cultural activities for Cinco de Mayo, Black History Month, Women's History Month, and Asian History Month.[1] Paige actively participated in the Teacher's Social Committee and supported the school's book club.[1] In January 2018, Paige was seated as a member of the Kansas City, Kansas School Board.[2]
In September 2024, Paige was poised to be confirmed as the replacement for the 35th district representative Marvin Robinson.[3] She secured the Democratic nomination by winning 49% of the vote in a competitive four-way primary, defeating the incumbent Robinson.[3] She is expected to run unopposed in the upcoming November general election.[3]
Personal life
Paige is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Heart of America Sisterhood, Inc., and Tabernacle Baptist Church.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Meet Your Board Members - Kansas City Kansas Unified Schl Dist 500". www.kckschools.org. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
- ^ a b Bergen, Katy (June 29, 2018). "She's an elected KCK school board member. Why is Wanda Paige on the district payroll?". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
- ^ a b c Resnick, Matt (2024-09-03). "Wanda Brownlee Paige on cusp of assuming Kansas House seat after Rep. Marvin Robinson's death". State Affairs. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
- 1956 births
- Schoolteachers from Kansas
- People from Kansas City, Kansas
- Politicians from Kansas City, Kansas
- African-American state legislators in Kansas
- Women state legislators in Kansas
- Democratic Party members of the Kansas House of Representatives
- 21st-century African-American women politicians
- 21st-century Kansas politicians
- School board members in Kansas
- African-American school board members
- Living people
- Simpson College alumni
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