Barbara is a native of Martinsburg and graduated from Shepherd College (now Shepherd University). She has a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Maryland.   She is retired from the U. S. Department of Education.  Barbara resides in Harpers Ferry and currently serves as secretary and records manager for the Land Trust, chairperson of the Harpers Ferry Woman’s Club scholarship committee,  member of the Jefferson County Youth Board, and member of the Safe Water For Harpers Ferry Partnership. She has participated in many areas of community service including chairperson of the Elks Run Watershed Study Committee, Harpers Ferry Water Commissioner, Harpers Ferry Planning Commission, as a municipal liaison to the Jefferson County Planning Commission, the Harpers Ferry Comprehensive Land Use Plan Committee, Jefferson County Envision Jefferson 2035 Steering Committee, and currently is a Harpers Ferry Town Council member.