Born in Chicago, Betty Barrett moved to Huntington when her husband was recruited to serve as the athletic director for Marshall University in 1967. She has spent much of her life volunteering for and providing leadership over organizations dedicated to helping those who are less fortunate.
Barrett was a longtime Cabell County Public Library trustee and former library board member. She was awarded the West Virginia Library Association Certificate of Merit Award for her service to libraries and the community in 2022. Barrett also served on Huntington City Council for 12 years.
The Huntington Area League of Women Voters, Cabell-Huntington Coalition for the Homeless, Information and Referral and the National Society for Autistic Children all have benefited from Betty Barrett’s involvement. Under her leadership, several local and state agencies collaborated to create Vanity Fair, a unique housing program providing single-occupancy apartments and advisory services for homeless and low-income persons.
