A former twenty-one year tenured Professor of Political Science at the University of the District of Columbia, Cora Masters Barry specialized in Black Politics, the Presidency, and the Constitution. For over thirty years, she has applied her knowledge and skills to orchestrate voter education, registration and mobilization initiatives, both locally and nationally; including, the historic political return of her husband, Marion S. Barry, Jr., to an unprecedented fourth term as Mayor of the District of Columbia. Cora Masters Barry’s vision, expertise, and successful track record in providing tennis programs, mentoring and learning for children, has resulted in her being appointed by the United States Tennis Association, (USTA,) to serve on several of its National committees. She presently serves on the USTA’s influential National Committee for Diversity and Inclusion. Her long and impressive career in Sports began as Chairman of the DC Boxing and Wrestling Commission.
Mrs. Barry was the first woman in the United States to hold such a position in the male-dominated sport of Boxing. She held this position for eight years, from 1979-1987. Mrs. Barry was both a trailblazer and an innovator, and her influence continues to be felt today, as a result of her advocacy for safety in the sport, and the rules she established as Chairman of the Commission. Mrs. Barry has received numerous awards and citations.
She was recently honored (2013) by the DC Chamber of Commerce, by receiving its “Community Service Award,” for outstanding and valuable service to children and youth in the District of Columbia, as Founder and CEO of the RWLC and SETLC. She was honored by Washingtonian Magazine as a “Washingtonian of the Year 2013,” also for her influence and outstanding and valuable service to children and youth in the District of Columbia, as Founder and CEO of the RWLC and SETLC.
Mrs. Barry’s amazing accomplishments have led to her induction into the USTA’s Mid-Atlantic Tennis and Education Foundation’s Hall of Fame, in honor of her tireless efforts to empower the lives of thousands of children, youth, adults, and seniors, through tennis and education.