Wanda Brownlee Paige | |
|---|---|
| Member of the KansasHouseofRepresentatives 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.
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]
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]
Paige is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority,Heart of America Sisterhood,Inc.,and Tabernacle Baptist Church. [1]