Ms. Barbara Calhoun is a native of California. She attended John C. Fremont High School and later studied Labor Law at Trade Technical College in South Los Angeles. She has been employed by the City of Los Angeles as a Traffic Officer for 21 years. Committed to civic improvement and empowerment, Ms. Calhoun has served as President of the Service Employee's International Union (SEIU) Local 347 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 Vice Chair of the Western Region Women's Caucus for SEIU and as a delegate for the 52nd Assembly District and Executive Board.Ms. Calhoun is dedicated to making Compton a great city. Prior to her tenure as a City Council member, she was elected to the Compton Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees and was voted Legislative Aide for two consecutive terms. Through her determination and leadership, she was instrumental in securing construction of the first new elementary school built in Compton in 35 years. The school was named after President William Jefferson Clinton. Also, while a board member, she successfully supported the school board’s Measure I Bond Campaign, which resulted in an $80 million grant created to renovate existing Compton schools and restore and return the Compton Unified School District to full local control after 10 years of management by the State of California.
The citizens of Compton elected Barbara J. Calhoun to the City Council’s First District on April 15, 2003. She was re-elected in April 2007. Throughout her years of public service, her passion and commitment to the well being of the citizens of Compton has never wavered. She passionately thanks her many supporters for their dedication and looks forward to working together with them to “Birth a New Compton."
Ms. Calhoun has three children and five grandchildren, most of whom attend school in the Compton Unified School District. She was active in her children's education and now enjoys the same opportunity with her grandchildren. Ms. Calhoun is an active member of the community and attends Holy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Compton.
