Candidate for
Council Member; City of Compton; District 1

Barbara J. Calhoun - Councilwoman District 1

Ms. Barbara J. Calhoun, a native of California, moved to the City of Compton with her family upon graduating from Fremont High School in 1968. Ms. Calhoun attended Los Angeles Trade Technical College where she majored in Labor Law. Currently, she is employed as a Traffic Officer for the City of Los Angeles where she has worked for the past 21 years as well as serving as 1st District Councilperson for the City of Compton.

Ms. Calhoun has a history rich in public service. She has served as president of the Service Employee's International Union (SEIU) for over eight years and is currently a member of the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) and the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW). She also serves as the chair of the Western Region Women's Caucus for SEIU and a delegate for the 52nd Assembly District and Executive Board.

Ms. Calhoun has three children and five grandchildren, most of whom attend school in the Compton Unified School District. Ms. Calhoun was active in her children's education and now enjoys the same opportunity with her grandchildren. Ms. Calhoun has been an active member of the community and attends Holy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Compton.

Ms. Calhoun is dedicated to making Compton a great City. In November 2001, Barbara Calhoun was elected to the Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees and was voted Legislative Aide for two consecutive terms. The school board's determination to revitalize the Compton Unified School District resulted in the construction of the first new elementary school in 35 years and successfully naming the school after President William Jefferson Clinton. Additionally, the school board's Measure 1 Bond Campaign resulted in $80 million to renovate existing Compton schools along with successfully restoring and returning the Compton Unified School District to full local control after 10 years of management by the State of California.

The citizens of the First District of Compton elected the Honorable Barbara J. Calhoun as their Councilwoman on April 15, 2003. Ms. Calhoun would like to thank her many supporters for their dedication and looks forward to working together to build a "New Compton."