Kathleen Kennedy is the eldest of eight children. Six months after arriving in the United States in 1973, Ms. Kennedy joined the Army and worked as a Data Analyst. Three years later, she left the Army and joined the Sheriff's Department as a Correctional Officer, then transferred to Foster City and served as its first female officer.
Racial prejudice and discrimination resulted in her departure from Foster City and she returned to Southern California. After completing a Bachelor's in Psychology, Ms. Kennedy joined the Management Program at Security Pacific National Bank and worked her way up to Assistant Vice President. Her goal was to reach the Executive Board, but a takeover by Bank of America changed her aspirations. After over 12 years with the Corporation, she left due to racial discrimination. Ms. Kennedy informed them that she was now a first class citizen, having worked her way up from third class and would quit rather than fight more discrimination.
Ms. Kennedy returned to her first love, teaching. She has two Master of Arts degrees: one in Education Administration; the other, Special Education. Ms. Kennedy earned a National Board Certification in Special Education and has credentials in Administration, Reading, Learning Handicapped, and Multiple Subjects, and a certificate for Gifted and Talented Education.
